Milwaukee Bucks vs Minnesota Timberwolves Picks and Predictions April 8th 2025

Bobby Portis Returns as Bucks Take On Timberwolves in Milwaukee

Bobby Portis is back—and just in time for a crucial playoff push. After serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, the veteran forward is set to rejoin the Milwaukee Bucks as they host the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday night.

Both teams enter the matchup riding winning streaks—Milwaukee (44-34) has won four straight, while Minnesota (46-32) is on a five-game tear. With postseason seeding on the line, the timing couldn’t be more intense.

Bucks Heating Up at the Right Moment

The Bucks return home after sweeping a three-game road trip and are looking to keep that energy alive inside Fiserv Forum. Despite the absence of Damian Lillard (out 10 games with deep vein thrombosis), Giannis Antetokounmpo has kept Milwaukee moving forward, averaging 30.5 points and 11.9 rebounds per game.

Portis—who averages 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds—brings scoring, rebounding, and leadership to a second unit that’s held up well in his absence.

Guard Gary Trent Jr. is thrilled to have him back:

“Him being back will be a beautiful thing. He made my job way easier.”

Milwaukee won the first matchup this season, 103-101 in Minneapolis, despite playing without both Giannis and Lillard. In that game, Trent dropped 21 points, Kyle Kuzma posted a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double, and Portis chipped in eight points and four assists.

Timberwolves Looking to Stay Out of the Play-In

Minnesota is just as motivated. Locked in a tight Western Conference playoff race, they need every win to stay above the play-in line. The Wolves are led by Anthony Edwards, who averages 27.4 points per game, while Julius Randle (18.7) and Naz Reid (14.3) provide scoring depth.

In their last outing, the Wolves edged Philadelphia 114-109, but veteran Mike Conley wants better execution down the stretch.

“We have too many times individually where we let a missed shot or a bad turnover carry over,” Conley said.

In their February matchup, Edwards led all scorers with 28 points, but shot just 10-for-33. Naz Reid and Rudy Gobert each recorded monster double-doubles.

What’s on the Line?

• Bucks: A win would push their streak to five and strengthen their playoff positioning in the East.
• Timberwolves: Victory could bump them into the top six and reduce their risk of sliding into the play-in zone.

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FAQs

Is Bobby Portis playing tonight?
Yes, Portis returns after a 25-game suspension and is expected to suit up for Milwaukee.

How have the Bucks performed without Damian Lillard?
They’ve won four straight, with Giannis leading the charge and role players stepping up.

Who leads the Timberwolves in scoring?
Anthony Edwards, averaging 27.4 points per game, continues to pace Minnesota’s offense.

What happened in the last Bucks vs. Wolves game?
Milwaukee won 103-101 in February behind strong bench play, despite missing Giannis and Lillard.

What’s at stake in this matchup?
Both teams are in tight playoff races—seeding and momentum are on the line Tuesday