Two teams on different ends of the Western Conference standings will meet here on Thursday night in the Pacific Northwest. As the Minnesota Timberwolves travel out west to face off with the Portland Trail Blazers for a midweek showdown. Minnesota comes into this game with one of the best records in the National Basketball Association this season. They are currently sporting a record of 38-16 through their first 54 games of the 2023-24 NBA season.
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers are still having a difficult time replacing Damien Lillard. They have yet to replace the star player’s production and leadership, which has led them to the bottom of the standings. Portland comes into this game on Thursday night with a record of 15-38 through their first 53 games of the season. Minnesota comes into the game sitting in first place of the Western Conference standings.
They could have a playoff spot locked up by mid-March if they continue their trend of playing solid basketball throughout the remainder of the regular season. The Portland Trail Blazers currently find themselves sitting in 14th of the Western Conference standings and their playoff hopes are all but officially gone at this rate. They would need a miraculous turn around if they were to sniff the postseason or even the play-in round at this point.
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History Between These Two Teams This will be the third meeting of the regular season between Portland and Minnesota here on Thursday night. In the previous two meetings of the season, it has been the Minnesota Timberwolves that have come away with the victory in blowout fashion over Portland. The last time these two teams met was just a few nights ago and this will be the second consecutive meeting between the two here on Thursday evening. Minnesota has dominated the season series and they have controlled the pace of the game.
Both times these two teams have hit the floor together. That is something Minnesota will look to replicate throughout this game on Thursday night as they look for a third consecutive victory against Portland to officially clinch the season series against the Trail Blazers. Having secured themselves a share of the series between these two teams Minnesota will be able to play a loose and relaxed ball game throughout this contest, as they search for their third victory of the season against Portland.
Today’s Predictions Minnesota comes into this game as the betting favorite despite the fact that their star player, Anthony Edwards is currently listed as a gametime decision. However, the line of Minnesota -8 1/2 would lean towards Anthony Edwards being available for this game. If you were unable to go, Minnesota would likely still be the betting favorite, despite being on the road as the talent gap between them and Portland at the moment is still wide enough to withstand the absence of Edwards in this contest.
Minnesota has plenty of momentum coming into this game, as they have picked up three consecutive victories, and they have won four out of their last five on the season as well. They have picked up three consecutive double digit victories on the road, including a victory in their last game in Portland. As they will play the Trail Blazers for the second consecutive game in a row and look for their second consecutive victory over Portland as well.
Minnesota has made a habit of blowing teams out this season, as they have easily been one of the best teams in the NBA on both ends of the court. They are consistently putting up over 100 points a game and they will look to continue that trend throughout this game on Thursday night for the second consecutive game in Portland. It was Anthony Edwards who led the way for Minnesota the last time these two teams met just a few nights ago as he put up 41 points. He will look to replicate that performance here on Thursday night if he is available for this contest.
For the Portland Trail Blazers, it was DeAndre Ayton, who scored a team high 22 points just a few nights ago and he will look to replicate that performance here in this game on Thursday night. The difference is this time around he will look to lead Portland to a much-needed victory in their third game of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He has been leading the way for the majority of the year for Portland when he has been healthy as he is looking to step up and replace Damian Lillard in the leadership role for this franchise. He will need to lead the way for Portland in this one if they want to be successful and show the young guys the way if this team wants to improve throughout the remainder of the regular season as well. I expect this game to be all Minnesota as I look for them to pick up the victory and cover the spread for the third consecutive game against Portland this season.
Tips For Betting Minnesota is 31-10 in games they are favored in Minnesota is 19-11 on the road this season Portland is 9-16 at home this season Minnesota is 24-13 coming off of a win this year Portland is 10-27 coming off of a loss this year Minnesota is 15-5 as a road favorite The Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves -8.5 (-110) Picks given are the opinion of the writer, not Elitepickz pros. To get picks from some of the sharpest minds in the industry, sign up here and use code AB15 for 15% off any pass!
