Minnesota Timberwolves vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions November 8th 2024

Timberwolves vs Trail Blazers November 8th 2024

At 9:00 ET, the Minnesota Timberwolves (-775) will host the Portland Trail Blazers (+540) in a Western Northwest division matchup. The Timberwolves are favored by 12 and the over/under line is set at 220.5.

Portland is 3-6 on the year, while Minnesota is 5-3. The game will be played at the Target Center in Minneapolis and can be seen on KATU.

Trail Blazers vs. Timberwolves Key Information

Portland dropped to 3-6 on the season after a 118-105 road loss to the Spurs on Thursday. The Blazers, who entered the game as +4.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread, losing by 13 points. The total points for the game were 223, exceeding the O/U line of 217.5 by 5.5 points.

The Blazers took a 55-56 lead into halftime after a strong 2nd quarter but were outscored 35-24 in the 3rd. They entered the 4th quarter trailing 91-79 and couldn’t close the gap, as the Spurs edged them 27-26 in the final period.

Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton each posted 21 points in the Trail Blazers’ 118-105 loss to the Spurs, with Ayton shooting 66.7% from the field and Grant hitting 60%. Anfernee Simons added 19 points, contributing 7 in the 4th quarter.

Join Now for Premium Betting Insights! Sign Up at SportsHub for exclusive tips.

Portland shot 47.7% overall, but struggled from deep, hitting just 28.1% of their threes, making 9 in total. Simons connected on 3 threes at a 33.3% clip.

Defensively, the Trail Blazers had a solid 2nd quarter but struggled in the 1st and 3rd, allowing 33 and 35 points, respectively, in their 118-105 loss to the Spurs. Portland gave up 16 threes on 41% shooting from deep.

Portland sent San Antonio to the line 18 times, where they hit 14 free throws. The Trail Blazers grabbed 27 defensive rebounds but allowed 12 offensive boards. They also recorded 7 steals and 3 blocks.

With a 135-119 road win over the Bulls on Thursday, the Timberwolves improved to 5-3 this season. Minnesota, favored by 9.5 points, covered the spread, and the game’s total of 254 points exceeded the 226.5-point line by 27.5 points.

After trailing 65-56 at halftime, the Timberwolves turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring Chicago 34-30 in the 3rd quarter and dominating the 4th with a 45-24 advantage. A key 12-0 run helped Minnesota pull away, stretching the score from 106-102 to 118-102.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves to a 135-119 win over the Bulls, scoring 33 points, including 13 in the 4th quarter. He hit 5 threes at a 55.6% rate and added 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

Minnesota made 16 threes, shooting 42.1% from deep and 54.3% overall. Rudy Gobert was dominant inside, shooting 81.8% from the field and scoring 11 of his 21 points in the final period.

Even with a rough defensive showing, the Timberwolves managed to secure a win over the Bulls, giving up 119 points on 53% shooting. Minnesota allowed 34 points in the 1st quarter and 31 in the 2nd, but tightened up in the 4th, holding Chicago to 24 points.

The Timberwolves sent the Bulls to the line just 15 times, where they made 10 free throws. Minnesota allowed 15 threes on 41% shooting. They recorded 30 defensive rebounds, gave up 10 offensive boards, and added 7 steals and 4 blocks.

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +12, the Trail Blazers is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 220.5 and given that our model is projecting 312 points between the teams, we like the over.

Timberwolves Look to Extend Winning Streak Against Trail Blazers

The Minnesota Timberwolves, fresh off a thrilling comeback victory, aim to make it three wins in a row as they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night in Minneapolis. Both teams are playing on short rest, with the Timberwolves riding the momentum of a strong finish while the Trail Blazers are looking to bounce back after a loss.

Timberwolves Rally to Beat Bulls

Minnesota showed resilience in their 135-119 road win over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night. Trailing for much of the game, the Timberwolves exploded in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Bulls 45-24 to seal the comeback victory.

Anthony Edwards led the charge with a game-high 33 points, adding eight rebounds and six assists. Edwards was backed by strong performances from Julius Randle, who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and veteran guard Mike Conley, who contributed 14 points and 11 assists.

“We’ve been working,” said Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert. “Every year, [Anthony Edwards’] playmaking has gotten better and better. This year, he’s really seeing the floor and making the right passes.”

Gobert’s chemistry with Edwards in the pick-and-roll game has been a significant factor in Minnesota’s early-season success. Gobert frequently sets screens to free up Edwards and then rolls to the rim, creating high-percentage scoring opportunities.

The Timberwolves are looking to build on their 5-3 start to the season and continue the form that saw them reach the Western Conference finals last spring. However, coach Chris Finch is focused on improving defensive consistency.

“The on-ball defense, that’s where we were elite last year, but we’ve been patchy this year,” Finch said. “It starts with Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards, and Rudy Gobert. Those three form the triangle of our defense.”

Trail Blazers Struggling to Find Consistency

The Portland Trail Blazers, meanwhile, are searching for answers after dropping three of their last four games, including a 118-105 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton were the top performers, each scoring 21 points, while Anfernee Simons chipped in 19.

Despite the loss, there was a positive development for Portland as guard Shaedon Sharpe made his season debut. Sharpe, who missed the first eight games due to a left shoulder injury, showed promise off the bench, scoring 13 points in 20 minutes.

“I thought Shaedon played really well,” said Portland coach Chauncey Billups. “He looked very comfortable.”

Portland will need Sharpe’s scoring boost as they navigate a challenging schedule. The team is currently 3-6 and has struggled to find consistency on both ends of the floor.

Key Matchup: Timberwolves’ Defense vs. Blazers’ Offense

Friday’s matchup could hinge on Minnesota’s defensive intensity. The Timberwolves have focused on tightening up their defense, particularly with their trio of Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards, and Rudy Gobert. Finch emphasized that on-ball defense and rim protection are essential to their success.

Looking for Free NBA Picks? Check out our free NBA basketball picks for today’s games.

On the other side, Portland will need a strong offensive showing to keep up with the Timberwolves, who are averaging 116.3 points per game over their last three contests. The Blazers have shown flashes of offensive firepower, particularly from players like Simons and Grant, but consistency remains an issue.

Recent History

The Timberwolves have dominated the recent series against the Trail Blazers, sweeping all four games last season. In their last meeting on March 4 in Minneapolis, Rudy Gobert led the Timberwolves with 25 points and 16 rebounds in a 119-114 victory, while Anfernee Simons led Portland with 34 points.

“For us, it’s about focusing on what we do best,” said Edwards. “We know what we’re capable of when we play together and stick to our game plan.”

What to Watch For

• Anthony Edwards’ Scoring: Edwards has been on fire lately and will look to continue his scoring streak against a Portland team that has struggled defensively.
• Shaedon Sharpe’s Role: After an impressive season debut, Sharpe could see an increased role as the Blazers look to add more offensive firepower.
• Minnesota’s Defensive Trio: The combination of Edwards, McDaniels, and Gobert will be crucial in slowing down Portland’s scoring threats.

Prediction

The Timberwolves are playing at a high level, especially on their home court, and with their defensive focus, they should have the edge over a Trail Blazers team that is still finding its rhythm. Expect another strong showing from Edwards as Minnesota looks to extend their winning streak to three games.