Minnesota Timberwolves vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions February 8th 2025

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Portland Trail Blazers February 8th 2025

At 8:00 ET, the Timberwolves (-228) will host the Trail Blazers (+191) in a Western Northwest Division matchup. Minnesota is favored by 6 points and has won two straight games. Portland is currently on a six-game win streak and sits 13th in the West.

KATU will have the TV coverage from the Target Center in Minneapolis. The over/under line for this game is 216.5 points.

Trail Blazers vs. Timberwolves Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Portland Trail Blazers at Minnesota Timberwolves
• Where: Minneapolis at Target Center
• Date: Saturday, February 8th
• Betting Odds MIN -6, POR +191 | MIN -228 O/U 216.5

The Trail Blazers Can Win If…

The Trail Blazers improved to 23-29 on the season with a 108-102 win over the Kings on Thursday. Portland, who were +1 point underdogs, covered the spread with the victory. The game’s total score of 210 points fell well short of the 231-point over/under line.

Portland used an 11-0 run to take control, turning a 77-73 deficit into an 84-77 lead. They outscored the Kings 29-25 in the 4th quarter to seal the win.

Anfernee Simons knocked down 8 threes at a 66.7% clip, finishing with 30 points and 6 assists in the Trail Blazers’ win over the Kings. He hit 16 points in the 4th quarter alone, and the Blazers made 16 threes as a team, shooting 40% from deep.

Shaedon Sharpe added 24 points, with 10 coming in the 1st quarter, and Deandre Ayton contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds. Portland shot 43.3% from the field overall.

The Trail Blazers held the Kings to 102 points on Thursday, giving up 27 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters, but tightening up in the 2nd and 4th, allowing just 23 and 25 points, respectively. Portland’s defense limited Sacramento to 42% shooting from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Kings hit 10 threes at a 33% rate. The Trail Blazers sent them to the line 22 times, where they made 18 free throws. Portland grabbed 37 defensive rebounds while allowing 11 offensive boards, and they added 5 steals and 7 blocks.

• When looking at their past three road matchups, Portland has an ATS record of 3-0 while averaging 106 per game. The team went 3-0 overall in these games.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the underdog, the Trail Blazers have a straight up record of 9-1. Their record vs the spread in these games was 10-0.
• Over their last five games, the Trail Blazers have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 5-0 vs. the spread.

The Timberwolves Can Win If…

The Timberwolves improved to 29-23 on the season with a 127-114 win over the Rockets on Thursday. Minnesota was favored by 1.5 points and covered the spread, while the game’s total of 241 points went well over the 213.5-point line.

After trailing 98-92 going into the 4th quarter, the Timberwolves dominated the final period, outscoring Houston 35-16 to secure the win.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves to a win over the Rockets, scoring 41 points, including 18 in the 1st quarter and 16 in the 4th. He also contributed 7 rebounds and 6 assists, hitting 5 threes at 41.7% efficiency.

Minnesota made 16 threes as a team, shooting 41% from deep and 47.9% overall. Jaylen Clark added 17 points, hitting 4 threes at 66.7%, while Mike Conley also made 4 threes, finishing with 16 points on 75% shooting.

Despite a rough start defensively, the Timberwolves tightened up in the 4th quarter, allowing just 16 points to help secure the win. Overall, they gave up 114 points on 48% shooting from the Rockets, who scored 33 points in the 1st quarter and 38 in the 2nd.

Minnesota did a solid job defending the three, holding Houston to 12 made threes on 38% shooting. The Rockets also went 20/28 from the free-throw line. The Timberwolves finished with 5 steals and 6 blocks.

• Across their last three home contests, Minnesota has been good against the spread posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 3-0, while averaging 124 points per game.
• Through their last three games as the favorite, the Timberwolves have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 2-1.
• In their last five games, the Timberwolves have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Coming in as the underdogs at +6, we have the Trail Blazers as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 216.5, and our model predicts the Trail Blazers and Timberwolves to score a combined 224 points. We recommend betting on the over.

Portland Looks to Extend Streak Against Resurgent Minnesota

The Portland Trail Blazers may not have the best record in the Western Conference, but their recent form tells a much different story. Winners of 10 of their last 11 games, including six straight, the Trail Blazers have emerged as one of the hottest teams in the NBA as they head into a Saturday night battle with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Portland (23-29) is proving that it is far more dangerous than its sub-.500 record suggests. Since Jan. 19, the team has been on a tear, boasting a 3-0 road record and a 7-1 mark at home. Now, they begin a three-game road trip in Minnesota, looking to keep their momentum rolling.

“It feels amazing,” Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons said of the team’s recent run. “(We’re) going out there competing at a high level and beating some pretty good teams. I’m just proud of the way we’ve showed up each and every night.”

The Timberwolves (34-15) are also trending in the right direction after consecutive wins over the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets, stabilizing their position in the upper tier of the West. Minnesota is now 2-2 on its five-game homestand, which concludes with Saturday’s contest.

Anthony Edwards Leading Minnesota’s Charge

Much of Minnesota’s recent success can be attributed to Anthony Edwards, who has been on an absolute scoring binge. The star guard is averaging 45 points over his last two games and leads the Timberwolves in scoring at 27.2 points per game this season.

Injuries to key players like Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo have forced Minnesota to rely more on its young talent. Rookie Jaylen Clark has capitalized on his increased minutes, recently scoring a career-best 17 points against Houston.

“A lot of rookie players go in there and they make mistakes, and they might make two mistakes and one or two good plays if they’re lucky,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “But he just hasn’t made mistakes. … The first key to being a young player when you’re earning your first minutes is to not hurt the team, so he’s been above the norm there.”

With Randle and DiVincenzo sidelined, the Timberwolves will continue to lean on Naz Reid (14.0 PPG) and Jaden McDaniels (11.0 PPG) as their secondary scoring options behind Edwards.

Portland’s Balanced Attack Fueling Its Streak

The Trail Blazers have been firing on all cylinders during their six-game winning streak, with multiple players stepping up to share the scoring load.

Anfernee Simons (18.4 PPG) has been Portland’s top offensive weapon, showcasing his ability to score from anywhere on the floor.

Shaedon Sharpe (17.4 PPG) continues to be a rising star, providing dynamic playmaking and scoring versatility.

Deandre Ayton (14.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG) has been a steady force in the paint, helping Portland dominate the boards.

Jerami Grant (14.7 PPG) adds veteran leadership and defensive toughness to a team that has embraced a gritty identity.

Defense the Key to Portland’s Recent Success

While Portland’s offense has been clicking, head coach Chauncey Billups credits the team’s defensive intensity as the driving force behind its winning streak.

“The one thing that’s been consistent is just our defense,” Billups said. “And we know that that’s the way that we’re going to be able to compete with all of these teams. We’ve got to be flying around. We’ve got to be playing a lot of people. Next person that comes in has to play (with) the same intensity.”

Portland’s ability to create defensive stops and force turnovers has allowed them to control the pace of games and turn defense into transition opportunities. If they can maintain that energy against a Minnesota team led by the explosive Edwards, they’ll have a strong chance of extending their streak.

Final Meeting of the Regular Season

This will be the fourth and final regular-season matchup between the Timberwolves and Trail Blazers, with Portland holding a 2-1 edge.

Minnesota dominated the first meeting, winning 127-102 at home on Nov. 8.

Portland responded with two home victories: a 122-108 win on Nov. 12 and a 106-98 triumph the following night.

With the season series on the line, Minnesota will be looking to even things up, while Portland will aim to complete a three-game sweep after its initial loss.

Dive into the Latest NBA Western Conference Betting Odds and Detailed Expert Predictions for the Season

Can the Blazers Stay Hot, or Will Edwards and the Wolves End Their Streak?

Portland’s confidence is sky-high, and the team is proving that it can compete with some of the league’s best. Meanwhile, Minnesota is determined to finish its homestand strong and continue climbing the Western Conference standings.

Can the Trail Blazers make it seven straight wins, or will the Timberwolves’ defense put a stop to their momentum? With both teams playing inspired basketball, this matchup promises to be a hard-fought battle with plenty of fireworks.