Timberwolves vs Wizards Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Minnesota Moves Forward

The Minnesota Timberwolves woke up Tuesday morning self-aware they were once again the joke of the NBA.

Head coach Chris Finch went on local radio and spared no one on his roster in airing his frustrations with Monday’s loss to the Hornets despite Karl-Anthony Towns scoring 62 points.

The only thing that would be more humbling than losing to the Hornets would be losing tonight to the Washington Wizards, the rare team that owns a worse winning percentage at home than on the road.

Our free NBA picks and predictions look into the best way to find redeeming value in Minnesota as we preview Timberwolves vs. Wizards on January 24, with tip set for 7:00 p.m. ET.

Timberwolves vs Wizards odds

Timberwolves vs Wizards predictions

The Minnesota Timberwolves made two ruinious mistakes on Monday. They got away from their offensive gameplan to allow Karl-Anthony Towns to keep chucking, and they thoroughly abandoned any thought of playing defense.

Either of those missteps could have been survived on its own, but combining them proved costly and comical against the woeful Hornets.

Finch deemed the entire performance “an absolute disgusting performance of defense and immature basketball all the way through the game” in the immediate aftermath.

By Tuesday morning, his comments were more pointed, not all-out criticizing Towns but not sparing him, either. Finch was so appalled by his team that he effectively let the refs off the hook for missing two foul calls on a potentially game-winning bucket.

The Timberwolves’ identity this season, when succeeding, has been their defense. Even while going 6-9 against the spread since Christmas and just 8-7 overall, their defensive rating has remained No. 4 in the league in that stretch and sits atop the league for the season as a whole.

But betting on that while on the road has been a worrying endeavor, 8.1 points per 100 possessions worse on the road than at home. Now, to give some deference, everyone plays worse defense on the road, and Minnesota’s defensive rating on the road ranks No. 4 in the league, but it's still far from the calling card that has sparked the Timberwolves’ run to the top of the West.

Therein may be where the Washington Wizards provide yet another salve.

The motivation for Minnesota to redeem itself defensively is clear. After Monday, returning to its best asset would be the strongest path forward. And Washington is far from an offensive powerhouse and certainly not a modern offense.

The Wizards rank No. 22 in percentage of points scored from deep. Worse, they rank No. 26 in 3-point percentage, shooting just 35.4% from beyond the arc.

They function in the midrange and at the hoop, ranking No. 5 in percentage of points scored on 2-point field goals yet — and here is where the picture of Washington’s offense best comes into focus — only assisting on 43.4% of made 2-point field goals, No. 24 in the league.

The Wizards do not shoot from deep and when they do, they shoot poorly. They have no offensive flow setting up catch-and-shoots or even cuts to the basket. Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole simply isolate.

Against the Timberwolves, even with that defense on the road, that approach will fail. Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are too good on the wing, while Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid provide too much protection at the rim.

Minnesota has the self-induced motivation to play strong defense tonight, and Washington is the ideal opponent for that defense to reestablish itself.

My best bet: Wizards team total Under 108.5 points (-102 at FanDuel)

Timberwolves vs Wizards same-game parlay

Wizards team total Under 108.5

Jordan Poole Under 1.5 made threes

Rudy Gobert Over 14.5 points

+650 at DraftKings

Doubting Poole to score from deep obviously furthers the doubt in the Washington offense tonight, but there are two specific reasons to scoff at the overpaid gunner tonight.

For one, he has hit either zero or one threes in 19 of 41 games this season, including 14 of his last 27 games, yet the prop can be added to this same-game parlay at notable plus-money.

Secondly, Minnesota ranks No. 7 in both rate of 3-pointers attempted against and in 3-point percentage against. This is not a defense to rain from deep against, not that Poole is much trusted to do that, anyway.

Meanwhile, a Gobert offensive course correction tonight goes hand-in-hand with the Timberwolves emphasizing their defense. Not only is Gobert vital in both those thoughts, but they are both enhanced by the presence of point guard Mike Conley, who sat out Monday night with a tight hamstring.

Conley alone boosts Gobert’s field goal attempts by 10%, and the duo is most responsible for asserting focus and discipline on the Minnesota roster, things that will be underscored tonight via a few pick-and-rolls or lob floaters to Gobert.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Timberwolves vs Wizards spread and Over/Under analysis

Sportsbooks did not overreact to Minnesota’s Monday valley, setting the Timberwolves as 11-point favorites in this road game when the lines opened on Tuesday evening. Some books edged to -11.5 early on Wednesday before returning to -11.

While Minnesota is 3-5 ATS as a double-digit favorite this season, and 0-1 on the road in such a spot, Washington is 8-4-1 ATS as a double-digit underdog, including 5-1-1 in its last seven chances, dating back to December 17.

This total opened at 231.5 and began dropping before Wednesday’s sunrise, falling to 229.5 before even most East Coasters had found their first coffee. Consider that further endorsement of the Timberwolves’ foremost priority tonight.

Timberwolves vs Wizards betting trend to know

Washington has won its last seven meetings against Minnesota, both outright and ATS, despite being an underdog in three of the seven meetings. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Wizards.

Timberwolves vs Wizards game info

Timberwolves vs Wizards latest injuries

Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Pages related to this topic