Minnesota Timberwolves vs Charlotte Hornets Picks and Predictions November 4th 2024

Timberwolves vs Hornets November 4th 2024

At 9:00 ET, the Charlotte Hornets (2-4) will travel to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-3) in a non-conference matchup. The Timberwolves (-434) are favored by 9.5 points over the Hornets (+336) and the over/under line is set at 226.5.

This game will be played at the Target Center in Minneapolis and can be seen on FDSN.

Hornets vs. Timberwolves Key Information

Charlotte’s record fell to 2-4 after a 113-103 home loss to Boston on Saturday. The Hornets entered the game as +10.5 point underdogs and managed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 216, well under the 231.5 O/U line.

Charlotte showed resilience with a 17-0 run, narrowing the score from 68-50 to 68-67. However, Boston regained control, outscoring the Hornets 30-26 in the 2nd quarter and 28-29 in the 4th.

LaMelo Ball’s 36 points and 6 threes highlighted the Hornets’ offensive effort in their 113-103 loss to the Celtics. Ball shot 57.7% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, adding 16 points in the 4th quarter. Brandon Miller contributed 16 points, despite shooting just 33.3% overall and from three.

Josh Green hit 4 threes at 80% efficiency, finishing with 12 points. As a team, the Hornets connected on 17 threes, shooting 40.5% from deep, though their overall field goal percentage was 44%.

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Defensively, the Hornets struggled in the 1st quarter, giving up 38 points, and allowed 30 more in the 2nd. They tightened up in the 3rd, holding the Celtics to just 17 points, but gave up 28 in the 4th, leading to a 113-103 loss.

Charlotte held Boston to 43% shooting, including 30% from three, where the Celtics hit 16 threes. The Hornets sent Boston to the line 28 times, with the Celtics making 25 free throws. Charlotte finished with 10 steals and 1 block.

After Saturday’s 113-103 loss to the Spurs, the Timberwolves are now 3-3 for the season. Minnesota, favored by four points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 216 points narrowly exceeded the 214.5-point line.

A key moment came when the Spurs went on a 10-0 run, turning a 51-46 deficit into a 56-51 lead. Minnesota couldn’t recover, as they were outscored 30-25 in the 2nd quarter and 33-25 in the 3rd. They entered the 4th quarter down 95-82 but held the Spurs to 18 points in the final period while scoring 21 themselves.

LaMelo Ball’s 36 points and 6 made threes highlighted the Hornets’ offensive effort in their 113-103 loss to the Celtics. Ball shot 57.7% from the field, hitting 50% from deep, and added 16 points in the 4th quarter. Brandon Miller contributed 16 points, despite shooting just 33.3%, and Josh Green added 12 points, knocking down 4 threes at an 80% clip.

As a team, the Hornets connected on 17 three-pointers, shooting 40.5% from beyond the arc, though their overall field goal percentage was 44%. Ball also scored 15 points in the 2nd quarter, and finished with 6 assists and 4 rebounds in the game.

Defensively, the Timberwolves struggled in the 1st and 3rd quarters, giving up 32 and 33 points, respectively, in their 113-103 loss to the Spurs. They tightened up in the 4th, allowing just 18 points, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Overall, Minnesota allowed San Antonio to shoot 51% from the field.

On the perimeter, the Timberwolves held the Spurs to 31% shooting from three, with San Antonio making 13 threes. The Spurs also went 14/17 from the free-throw line. Minnesota gave up 7 offensive rebounds and recorded 7 steals and 2 blocks.

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Timberwolves to secure the win, with an expected final score of 148-127. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -9.5.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 226.5, and our model projects the Hornets and Timberwolves to reach a combined total of 275 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

Timberwolves, Hornets Embrace Growth Mindset Ahead of Showdown

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Charlotte Hornets are gearing up for a high-energy clash on Monday night in Minneapolis, with both teams showing resilience in their respective early-season challenges. For Minnesota, the game is part of a jam-packed schedule that has the Timberwolves playing their third contest in just four nights, while Charlotte arrives following back-to-back defeats against the formidable Boston Celtics.

Timberwolves Embrace Demanding Start

The Timberwolves (3-3) are taking their busy early-season schedule in stride. Head coach Chris Finch welcomes the fast-paced stretch as a test of both physical and mental toughness, an approach he believes will benefit his team in the long run.

“I love these types of situations,” Finch remarked. “You’ve got to be physically tough. You’ve got to be mentally tough. You’ve got to go out and find a way to win. We’ve never been a ‘rest team’ anyway. I think our guys enjoy the challenge.”

Minnesota’s star guard, Anthony Edwards, has certainly risen to the occasion, leading the team with an impressive average of 28.3 points per game, along with 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. His dynamic play has been supported by Julius Randle, who is contributing 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, and Naz Reid, providing 13.7 points per game off the bench.

Center Rudy Gobert is listed as questionable due to a sore left ankle, averaging a double-double with 10.8 points and 10.3 rebounds. Should Gobert sit out, the Timberwolves could turn to Josh Minott for additional minutes. Minott has shown flashes of his potential in limited playing time, contributing four points and two rebounds in 10 minutes during the recent game against the Spurs.

Hornets Lean into Learning Curve

For the Charlotte Hornets, the early season has also presented its share of hurdles, particularly in the form of consecutive matchups with the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics. Although Charlotte fell short in both games, head coach Charles Lee sees value in the experience, viewing the Celtics games as valuable stepping stones for his young squad.

“Tonight was another great learning experience, a growth opportunity for us,” Lee said following Saturday’s game. “These guys work so hard, communicating, being together. We really just want them to focus on what you can control. All those things that are outside of our grasp and control, we’ve got to let those distractions go and focus on stuff that’s going to help us build winning habits.”

Leading the charge for the Hornets is LaMelo Ball, who has been electric, averaging 30.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Ball’s shooting has also been on point, with a 47.4 percent accuracy from the field and 40.5 percent from beyond the arc. Tre Mann has provided an offensive spark off the bench, averaging 19.2 points per game, while Miles Bridges contributes 13.3 points.

Rookie Brandon Miller, averaging 11 points per game, has been a consistent contributor, though he is questionable for Monday due to a glute injury. Meanwhile, Nick Richards is expected to miss the game with a sore right shoulder, which could thin Charlotte’s frontcourt rotation.

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Key Matchups and Game Dynamics

1. Anthony Edwards vs. LaMelo Ball
   With Edwards and Ball both lighting up the scoreboard this season, fans can expect a thrilling head-to-head between these two young stars. Their offensive output and ability to facilitate plays will set the tone for their respective teams.
2. Julius Randle and Naz Reid vs. Charlotte’s Frontcourt
   If Gobert is sidelined, Randle and Reid will have added responsibility in the paint. Charlotte’s limited frontcourt depth due to Richards’ absence and Miller’s questionable status could tilt the balance in Minnesota’s favor.
3. Team Resilience and Defensive Play
   Both teams are still in search of their defensive identity, and Monday’s matchup offers a prime opportunity to tighten up on that end. Minnesota has struggled with consistency, while Charlotte aims to refine defensive cohesion under Coach Lee’s guidance.

Outlook

The Timberwolves’ determination to embrace a challenging schedule and the Hornets’ commitment to developing a winning culture under new leadership make for an exciting matchup. With both teams relying on high-scoring talents and balancing key injuries, Monday’s game will likely hinge on which team can adapt their lineup and approach to manage defensive lapses and sustain offensive momentum.

If Edwards and Ball continue their scoring sprees, fans should be in for an intense, high-scoring battle. But the Timberwolves’ home-court advantage and their edge in the frontcourt could give them the extra push needed to pull ahead and secure the win.