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Detroit Pistons vs Minnesota Timberwolves January 4th 2025
At 7:00 ET, the 17-16 Minnesota Timberwolves (-277) will take on the 16-18 Detroit Pistons (+226) at Little Caesars Arena. The Timberwolves are currently on a two-game losing streak and are 10th in the Western Conference, while the Pistons have won two straight and are 9th in the East.
This non-conference matchup can be seen on FDSD.
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Timberwolves vs. Pistons Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves at Detroit Pistons
- Where: Detroit at Little Caesars Arena
- Date: Saturday, January 4th
- Betting Odds MIN -7, MIN -277 | DET +226 O/U 217.5
The Timberwolves Can Win If…
The Timberwolves dropped to 17-16 on the season after a 118-115 home loss to the Celtics on Thursday. Minnesota entered the game as +3 point underdogs, and the final score resulted in a push. The combined score of 233 points went over the pre-game total of 215.5 by 17.5 points.
Minnesota started strong, leading 35-28 after the 1st quarter, but a rough 2nd quarter saw them outscored 34-16. They battled back, winning the 3rd quarter 34-29 and kept it close in the 4th, outscoring Boston 30-27, but couldn’t complete the comeback.
In their 118-115 loss to the Celtics, the Timberwolves connected on 21 threes, shooting 53.8% from deep and 50% overall. Julius Randle led the way with 27 points, hitting 5 threes at a 71.4% clip, while Naz Reid added 20 points and 4 threes, shooting 80% from beyond the arc.
Jaden McDaniels also contributed 4 threes, finishing with 19 points. Randle scored 10 points in the 1st quarter and added 9 more in the 3rd, while Reid and McDaniels each put up 9 points in the 3rd as well.
The Timberwolves gave up 118 points to the Celtics, who shot 50% from the field. Minnesota allowed 28 points in the 1st quarter and 34 in the 2nd, but they tightened up in the 4th, giving up 27 points.
From beyond the arc, the Celtics hit 22 threes at a 38% clip. The Timberwolves sent Boston to the line just 6 times, where they made 4 free throws. Defensively, Minnesota recorded 1 steal and 2 blocks.
- The Timberwolves are 2-1 ATS in their three last road games and 2-1 straight-up.
- Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, Minnesota has an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 7-3 straight up.
- Over their last five games, the Timberwolves have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 2-2-1 vs. the spread.
The Pistons Can Win If…
With a 98-94 win over the Hornets on Friday, the Pistons improved to 16-18 for the season. Detroit was favored by 7.5 points at home but didn’t cover the spread, while the game’s total of 192 points fell well short of the 215.5 O/U line.
After trailing 65-52 at halftime, the Pistons turned things around by outscoring Charlotte 32-17 in the 3rd quarter. Heading into the 4th with an 84-82 lead, Detroit’s defense held the Hornets to just 12 points in the final period to secure the win.
Tobias Harris led the Pistons to a win over the Hornets, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He hit 4 threes at an 80% clip, and added 10 points in the 1st quarter and 8 more in the 3rd.
As a team, the Pistons shot 41.9% from the field and 32.4% from three, making 12 threes overall. Cade Cunningham contributed 18 points, with 7 coming in the 3rd quarter.
Despite a slow start, the Pistons’ defense tightened up in the 3rd and 4th quarters, allowing just 29 points combined to secure a 98-94 win over the Hornets. Detroit held Charlotte to 41% shooting from the field, including 30% from beyond the arc, where the Hornets made just 9 threes.
The Pistons sent the Hornets to the line 30 times, where they converted 19 free throws. Detroit controlled the boards with 37 defensive rebounds, giving up 9 offensive boards. They also recorded 13 steals and 7 blocks in the game.
- Across their last three home contests, Detroit has been good against the spread posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 2-1, while averaging 117 points per game.
- As the betting underdog, the Pistons have an ATS record of 2-1 in their last three games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 2-1.
- In their last three games, the Pistons have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.
The Lean
Not only do we have the Timberwolves winning this one by a score of 119-100, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Timberwolves at -7.
As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 217.5 and our model has the Timberwolves and Pistons finishing with a combined 219 points. Our pick is to take the over.
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Wolves’ Anthony Edwards Looks to Find Answers vs. Pistons
Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves will look to bounce back on Saturday night when they visit the Detroit Pistons, aiming to break a two-game losing streak.
Edwards Faces Defensive Adjustments
Edwards has faced increased defensive pressure this season, particularly in recent games. Opposing teams have employed double teams to limit his scoring opportunities, and his recent point totals reflect the strategy. Over the last three games, Edwards has averaged just 16.3 points, a noticeable drop from his season average of 24.5 points per game.
In Thursday’s 118-115 loss to the Boston Celtics, Edwards was held to 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting. Frustrated, Edwards admitted:
“They just trapping me, man. I don’t know what to do. I’m not gonna lie.”
The departure of Karl-Anthony Towns via trade has only amplified defensive focus on Edwards, making it harder for him to find open looks.
Teammates Offer Support
Julius Randle, the Timberwolves’ second-leading scorer with 20.2 points per game, acknowledged the challenges Edwards is facing.
“He’s doing a really good job. It’s tough. I know it’s frustrating. But that’s just the player that he is,” Randle said. “He’s that special that nobody is going to guard him straight up. We’ve got to continue to try to help him out.”
Minnesota has dropped its last two games, both against top-tier teams in the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics. These losses came after a three-game winning streak, showcasing the Timberwolves’ ability to compete when their offense is clicking.
Pistons Look to Build Momentum Without Ivey
The Pistons come into the matchup on a high note after grinding out a 98-94 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. It marked Detroit’s fifth victory in six games despite the absence of starting guard Jaden Ivey, who suffered a broken left fibula earlier in the week.
Wendell Moore Jr. started in Ivey’s place but was scoreless in 15 minutes. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasized that the starting lineup may remain fluid:
“It will be different for us depending on matchups or maybe based on groups who are playing well together. We want to use this opportunity to get a look at different things,” Bickerstaff said.
Tobias Harris Steps Up for Detroit
With Ivey sidelined, Tobias Harris carried the Pistons offensively, scoring 24 points against Charlotte. Harris has embraced the challenge, and the team’s collective effort has been crucial in filling the void left by Ivey’s absence.
“They know JI would want them to go out there and compete their tail off and try to win as many games as possible,” Bickerstaff said.
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Key Matchup and Series Outlook
This will be the first of two meetings between the Timberwolves and Pistons this season, with the rematch set for March 30 in Minneapolis. For Minnesota, containing Harris and adjusting to Detroit’s reshuffled lineup will be key to halting their skid. For Detroit, finding consistency in Ivey’s absence will be crucial as they continue their recent winning stretch.
