Half of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ return from their preseason trade with the New York Knicks will miss tonight’s trip to Madison Square Garden.
My Timberwolves vs. Knicks predictions see no path to trusting Minnesota and instead will bet on Karl-Anthony Towns before tip at 7:30 ET on Friday, January 17.
Find out why in my NBA picks.
Timberwolves vs Knicks prediction
My best bet
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes (-165 at bet365)
My analysis
This number is comically low out of concern about Karl-Anthony Towns’ shooting motion with a bone chip in his thumb. Towns also sprained that thumb, but the New York Knicks do not anticipate him needing surgery at any point.
Towns has had most of the week — the injury occurred Monday — to figure out his shooting motion with the injury. Listed as questionable tonight, let’s assume he plays.
If he plays, adrenaline will help his shooting, but so will Towns’s natural ability. Towns has hit multiple 3-pointers in 26 of his 38 games, including four of his last five. He's shooting 44.9% from deep on 4.9 attempts per game.
The harshest criticism of Towns behind the arc these days is he is not shooting enough, a problem the Minnesota Timberwolves could never quite solve.
When Towns returned to Minnesota last month, he scored 32 points on 5 of 5 shooting from deep. Although his emotions may not be as high tonight, he will still want to show off against his old team.
And as long as his thumb allows him to, Towns should take at least four or five 3-pointers. At that point, it should always be assumed he will make at least a pair of them.
The thumb injury creates some risk, but if Towns intends to play through the injury, he can shoot. Otherwise, it would be best for both him and the Knicks to rest and repair the thumb.
That intent to play highlights the value in this reduced prop.
Timberwolves vs Knicks same-game parlay
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes
Julius Randle Over 20.5 points
Mike Conley Under 4.5 assists
Julius Randle appears to be on increasingly thin ice in Minnesota, not closing as many games, not endearing himself to the fans, and his albatross of a player option is threatening the Timberwolves’ ability to retain Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Naz Reid.
All that said, DiVincenzo’s injury puts some focus back on Randle.
He is the only one making a homecoming tonight, and he is the one needing to escalate his performance on the court. Forcing the issue in a familiar venue may be just what the doctor ordered.
Randle forcing the issue will come at the detriment of Mike Conley’s odds. For that matter, moving back into the starting lineup without DiVincenzo around does not assure Conley of facilitating.
That has been part of Minnesota’s issue this season: Conley, Randle, and Anthony Edwards are all at their best initiating the offense. Of those three, Conley is both the one most likely to take a back seat and the one most likely needed to.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Timberwolves vs Knicks odds
Timberwolves vs Knicks live odds
Timberwolves vs Knicks opening odds
- Spread: Minnesota -3.5 | New York +3.5
- Moneyline: Minnesota +160 | New York -165
- Over/Under: Over 220.5 | Under 220.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Timberwolves vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Knicks opened as 3.5-point favorites on Thursday night, climbing to -4.5 late in the night.
- DiVincenzo had already been ruled out when this line opened, so as some books reached -5 on Friday, let that be further faith that Towns will play tonight.
- The total opened at 220.5 on Thursday night and fell overnight to 218.5 before sunrise, volleying at 217.5 only to settle at 218.5.
Timberwolves vs Knicks trend
The last four Knicks games have all gone Over their totals, as have the last three Timberwolves games. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Knicks.
How to watch Timberwolves vs Knicks
| Location: | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York |
| Date: | Friday, 1-17-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FDSN NO, MSG |
Timberwolves vs Knicks latest injuries
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