Minnesota Timberwolves vs Indiana Pacers Picks and Predictions March 17th 2025

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Indiana Pacers March 17th 2025

The Pacers and Timberwolves will tip-off at 8:00 ET in a non-conference matchup at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Minnesota is currently favored by 7.5 points and has won eight straight games.

Indiana is 37-29 and sits fifth in the Eastern Conference. They are +242 on the moneyline. Minnesota is 40-29 and seventh in the West. They are -293 on the moneyline.

Get Expert NBA Picks Today! – Stay ahead with the latest game predictions.

Pacers vs. Timberwolves Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Indiana Pacers at Minnesota Timberwolves
• Where: Minneapolis at Target Center
• Date: Monday, March 17th
• Betting Odds MIN -7.5, IND +242 | MIN -293 O/U 229

The Pacers Can Win If…

Indiana’s record fell to 37-29 after a 126-119 road loss to the Bucks on Saturday. The Pacers entered the game as +3.5 point underdogs and didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 245, exceeding the pre-game O/U line of 235.5 by 9.5 points.

The Bucks went on a decisive 14-0 run early, stretching the score from 36-30 to 50-30. Indiana battled back, outscoring Milwaukee 37-26 in the 4th quarter, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the 100-82 deficit they faced going into the final period.

Aaron Nesmith’s 30-point performance, featuring 6 threes at 85.7% shooting from deep, led the Pacers’ offense in their 126-119 loss to the Bucks. Nesmith scored 13 points in the 4th quarter, while Pascal Siakam added 26 points, with 17 coming in the 2nd quarter.

Tyrese Haliburton contributed 24 points and 15 assists, scoring 8 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters. The Pacers hit 17 threes at a 39.5% rate, shooting 47.9% overall from the field.

The Pacers struggled defensively against the Bucks, giving up 126 points on 54% shooting. Milwaukee scored 38 points in the 1st quarter and 35 in the 3rd, but Indiana tightened up in the 4th, allowing just 26 points.

From beyond the arc, the Pacers allowed 15 threes on 40% shooting. They also sent the Bucks to the line 26 times, where Milwaukee hit 25 free throws. Indiana finished with 22 defensive rebounds, 9 steals, and 4 blocks.

• Although Indiana has a straight up record of 3-7 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 1-9. The team averaged 114 points per game in these games.
• Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Pacers have gone 1-4 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-4.
• Over their last three games, the Pacers have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 0-2-1 vs. the spread.

NBA Betting Trends & Market Analysis! – Stay ahead of the odds with data-backed picks.

The Timberwolves Can Win If…

The Timberwolves improved to 40-29 this season with a 128-102 win over the Jazz on Sunday. Minnesota, favored by 13.5 points, covered the spread with the victory. The total points for the game were 230, just under the 231.5 O/U line.

Minnesota jumped out to a 34-20 lead after the 1st quarter, but the Jazz responded with a 12-0 run. The Timberwolves regained control in the 3rd quarter, outscoring Utah 37-25, and entered the 4th quarter with a 99-76 lead, closing out the game by winning the final quarter 29-26.

Anthony Edwards poured in 41 points, including 21 in the 1st quarter and 16 more in the 3rd, leading the Timberwolves to a 128-102 win over the Jazz. He hit 5 threes at 35.7% and shot 59.3% from the field overall. Jaden McDaniels added 20 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 61.5% and contributing 9 points in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

Minnesota connected on 14 threes, shooting 32.6% from beyond the arc, while finishing with a 49.5% field goal percentage. Donte DiVincenzo chipped in 11 points, 7 assists, and 3 made threes, scoring 6 points in the 3rd quarter and 5 more in the 4th.

The Timberwolves put together a strong defensive performance on Sunday, holding the Jazz to 102 points. Minnesota limited Utah to just 20 points in the 1st quarter and kept them in check in the 3rd, allowing 25 points. Overall, the Jazz shot 43% from the field.

Minnesota’s defense was particularly effective from beyond the arc, where they held Utah to 31% shooting, with the Jazz making just 12 threes. The Timberwolves also recorded 14 steals and 6 blocks in the game.

• Across the Timberwolves last ten home games, the team averaged 117 points per game while allowing 112. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 5-5, while going 6-4 straight-up.
• The Timberwolves have played well in their last three games as the betting favorite, going 3-0 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.
• In their last three games, the Timberwolves have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Timberwolves to secure the win, with an expected final score of 122-111. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -7.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 229 and given that our model is projecting 233 points between the teams, we like the over.

Next-Level NBA Betting

Get the Best Predictions

Get Free Trial

Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves Aim to Stay Hot in Clash vs. Pacers

The Minnesota Timberwolves are on a roll, setting a season-high with eight consecutive wins as the NBA Championship race heats up. Now, they look to make it nine when they take on the Indiana Pacers in a critical Western Conference vs. Eastern Conference battle on Monday night.

The Timberwolves (40-29) are coming off a dominant 128-102 win over the Utah Jazz, marking their sixth double-digit victory during their streak. Meanwhile, the Pacers (37-29) are looking to rebound after a 126-119 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Anthony Edwards Climbs Franchise Scoring List

Anthony Edwards continues to prove why he belongs in the NBA MVP conversation. His 41-point performance against the Jazz moved him up to third all-time in Timberwolves scoring history, surpassing Andrew Wiggins (8,710 points). The only players ahead of him are Kevin Garnett (19,201) and Karl-Anthony Towns (13,121).

“It’s impressive,” Edwards said. “I never even knew I was top five. Yeah, that’s impressive. I was super happy when I heard it.”

Pacers Face Challenges With Key Players Missing

The Pacers are dealing with major injury concerns heading into this game.

• Pascal Siakam, the team’s leading scorer at 20.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, is out for personal reasons.
• Tyrese Haliburton (18.5 PPG), Myles Turner (15.5 PPG), and Aaron Nesmith are all listed as questionable.

Missing key contributors against a red-hot Timberwolves squad will put extra pressure on Bennedict Mathurin and the rest of the Pacers’ Atlantic Division lineup.

Head coach Rick Carlisle admitted that his rotation decisions may have hurt Indiana in their loss to Milwaukee, saying, “I know we’re certainly capable of better. We’re going to have to look at it and fix it.”

Timberwolves Depth Key to Success

The Timberwolves have been one of the most well-rounded teams in the Northwest Division, with multiple players stepping up during their streak.

• Anthony Edwards leads the way with 27.2 points per game.
• Julius Randle has been a strong second option at 18.9 points per game.
• Naz Reid (14.6 PPG) and Jaden McDaniels (12.7 PPG) continue to contribute.
• Rudy Gobert, a top contender for NBA Defensive Player of the Year, is averaging a double-double with 11.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.

Gobert’s dominance inside could be crucial, especially with Turner’s status uncertain for Indiana.

First of Two Battles Between Timberwolves and Pacers

This will be the first meeting of the season between these teams, with the rematch scheduled for March 24 in Indiana. The Pacers, currently fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, will need a strong showing to keep pace in the tight Central Division standings.

For the Timberwolves, a victory would push them further ahead in the Western Conference playoff race as they compete with teams from the Pacific Division and Southwest Division for better seeding.

Find the Best NBA Odds & Betting Trends! – Maximize your winnings with data-driven bets.

Anthony Edwards on Smart Shot Selection

As the Timberwolves continue their winning ways, Edwards emphasized the importance of taking the right shots.

“You just take what the defense gives us,” he said. “If I come off and I’ve got any space, I’m shooting a 3. If I come off and they’re stepping up, I’m going to get downhill. And I feel like the same is true for my teammates. If they’ve got a little room, it’s a 0.5 (second) mentality. It’s either shoot, pass it, or drive it.”

With the NBA Scoring Leader race heating up, Edwards is making a strong case as one of the most clutch players in the league.

What’s at Stake?

For Minnesota, a ninth straight win would strengthen their position in the Northwest Division as they push for a top seed in the Western Conference.

For Indiana, missing key players could make this a tough matchup. But a win would keep them competitive in the Central Division as they chase a spot in the NBA Summer League and the postseason.