The Western Conference race is essentially split in two at the moment, with the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors engaged in a battle for the top spot, far ahead of the rest of the pack. Things get incredibly interesting once you look beyond those two teams, as just 3 ½ games separate the #3 seed from the #9. Teams are flipping positions on a nightly basis, which makes the games between the teams currently occupying that group all the more important. The Minnesota Timberwolves have moved into the #3 spot ahead of the San Antonio Spurs, putting a game and a half between themselves and their opponent on Thursday night, the Portland Trail Blazers, who are currently in the #5 spot, which is why making an NBA betting pick for this game may get a little difficult, but don’t worry we are here to help.
The reality of the Western Conference situation right now is that the #3 spot is what the rest of the pack are chasing, and a win for Minnesota would help them get a firmer grip on that spot. Aside from the NBA odds, the Timberwolves have won 2 of 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers this season, but can they take this one and win the season series?
Where the Trail Blazers have had an issue this season is when they have gone up against teams with a winning record, as they have gone 7 games below .500 in those outings. This current streak that they are on started with a win over the Golden State Warriors, so perhaps they are ready to go on a better run of form against winning teams.
Minnesota at Portland NBA Betting Preview & Prediction
26 PTS on 10 shots. In case you’ve been sleeping under a rock, @KarlTowns is a monster. Here’s the proof… #AllEyesNorth pic.twitter.com/F24MK5zq7n
— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) 27 de febrero de 2018
- When: Thursday, March 1 at 10:30 PM EST
- Where: Moda Center, Portland
- TV: TNT
- Radio: 830 WCCO-AM (Minnesota) / 910 AM (Portland)
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- NBA Betting Odds: TBA
Team Records
- All: Minnesota Timberwolves 38-26 / Portland Trail Blazers 35-26
- Home: Minnesota Timberwolves 25-7 / Portland Trail Blazers 18-11
- Away: Minnesota Timberwolves 13-19 / Portland Trail Blazers 17-15
- ATS: Minnesota Timberwolves 30-32-2 / Portland Trail Blazers 31-26-4
- Over/Under: Minnesota Timberwolves 35-28-1 / Portland Trail Blazers 26-35
2017-18 NBA Championship Odds
Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Games)
- Record: Portland Trail Blazers lead 6-4
- Score: Minnesota Timberwolves 104.10 / Portland Trail Blazers 106.40
- Field Goal Percentage: Minnesota Timberwolves 50.00 / Portland Trail Blazers 47.36
- Rebounds: Minnesota Timberwolves 38.10 / Portland Trail Blazers 39.80
- 3 Point Shots: Minnesota Timberwolves 105-260 / Portland Trail Blazers 51-158
- Steals: Minnesota Timberwolves 6.30 / Portland Trail Blazers 7.80
Why bet on the Minnesota Timberwolves?
The Minnesota Timberwolves have taken advantage of some poor recent play by the San Antonio Spurs to move into the #3 seed in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves have been one of the more entertaining teams to watch this season, as their games tend to get into shootout mode. They are averaging almost 110 PPG while giving up almost 107 PPG. They come into this one having won 2 in a row and 3 of their last 4, but most of their successes this season have come in their own building. The T-Wolves has been less than stellar on the road, going just 13-19. That said, they have been very good against conference foes, going a very respectable 28-11. They have also been solid when playing teams with winning records and are 22-16 against that bunch. They will be looking for a little revenge here, as they lost 123-114 the last time they played in Portland.Team Statistics
Offense- Total Score: 109.94
- Field Goal Percentage: 47.95
- Three-Point Percentage: 35.61
- Free Throw Percentage: 80.33
- Total Rebounds: 41.86
- Total Score: 106.86
- Field Goal Percentage: 47.81
- Three-Point Percentage: 36.70
- Free Throw Percentage: 78.15
- Total Rebounds: 41.31
Why bet on the Portland Trail Blazers?
The Portland Trail Blazers are currently holding down the #5 seed in the Western Conference, although they have the red-hot New Orleans Pelicans, as well as the Oklahoma City Thunder, breathing right down their necks. The Trail Blazers are 18-11 in their own building this season and have gone 21-15 against Western Conference foes. They come into this one on a nice little 4-game winning streak, which has taken them to 6-4 in their last 10 games.
Where the Trail Blazers have had an issue this season is when they have gone up against teams with a winning record, as they have gone 7 games below .500 in those outings. This current streak that they are on started with a win over the Golden State Warriors, so perhaps they are ready to go on a better run of form against winning teams.
Team Statistics
Offense- Total Score: 105.11
- Field Goal Percentage: 45.36
- Three-Point Percentage: 37.73
- Free Throw Percentage: 80.18
- Total Rebounds: 44.90
- Total Score: 103.49
- Field Goal Percentage: 44.72
- Three-Point Percentage: 36.71
- Free Throw Percentage: 76.38
- Total Rebounds: 42.90
Latest NBA Betting Trends
- Timberwolves are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games on the road
- Timberwolves are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Minnesota’s last 8 games
- Trail Blazers are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games
- Trail Blazers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Portland’s last 6 games at home
