Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Detroit Pistons Odds, Pick and Prediction
A pair of teams prepping for the postseason take the floor in the Motor City as the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Detroit Pistons in NBA action Thursday night and we break down the Timberwolves vs. Pistons matchup here. Minnesota crushed Dallas 124-94 on the road Monday night their last time out, covering the line as an 8.5-point favorite. Detroit beat Toronto 127-116 at home Tuesday, covering as a 3.5-point favorite, their last time out.
In the all-time regular season series between the teams, Minnesota has a 36-35 advantage. Detroit took the first meeting this season, winning 105-89 on the road March 28. Let’s break down this Timberwolves vs. Pistons matchup. Lines were provided courtesy of Fanatics and were current as of midnight on April 2.
Minnesota Prepping for Postseason
Minnesota won for the fifth time in seven games as they dropped Dallas on the road Monday night. The Timberwolves entered Wednesday 46-29 and stood third in the Northwest Division. They were tied for fifth in the Western Conference standings.
For the year, Minnesota is 7th in the league in scoring offense with 117.9 points per game. The Timberwolves stand 11th in rebounding by pulling down 44.7 boards a contest. They are 16th in assists by handing out 26.2 dimes a contest. Minnesota has been above average on the defensive end of the floor as they are 11th in scoring defense by allowing 114.1 points per game. Anthony Edwards leads the team in scoring as he averages 29.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest. Julius Randle (21 points, 6.8 rebounds) is a solid secondary scoring option.
The Timberwolves are 7th in the league in field goal percentage as they hit 48.2% from the floor. Minnesota is 12th by splashing 13.7 three-pointers a night. They are 5th in three-point shooting by hitting 37% from beyond the arc. The Timberwolves are a below average team at the charity stripe. They are just 28th by converting 75% of their attempts on the year.
Key Injury Report for Timberwolves:
- Forward Jaden McDaniels (14.8 ppg) is out with a knee injury.
- Guard Anthony Edwards (29.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg) is questionable with a knee injury.
Pistons Trying to Hold Top Seed in East
Detroit downed Toronto at home in the second game of a back-to-back Tuesday night. The Pistons entered Wednesday 55-21 and have won the Central Division. They own a four-game edge over Boston for the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture with six to play.
On the year, the Pistons are 8th in the league in scoring offense as they average 117.5 points a game. Detroit is 8th in rebounding with an average of 45.6 boards per contest. They are 11th in assists by dishing out 27.4 dimes a night. The Pistons are 3rd in the league in scoring defense as they give up an average of 109.6 points per contest. Cade Cunningham leads the way offensively for the Pistons with 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 9.9 assists per game. Jalen Duren contributes 19.5 points plus 10.6 rebounds a night as an interior presence.
Detroit is 4th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 48.3% from the floor. The Pistons are 28th in the league in threes per game as they hit 11 triples per contest. They are 21st in three-point percentage as they connect on 35.3% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Detroit is below average at the charity stripe, ranking 26th by shooting 76.1% at the line.
Key Injury Report for Pistons:
- Guard Cade Cunningham (24.5 ppg, 9.9 apg) is out with a collapsed lung.
- Forward Isaiah Stewart (10 ppg, 5.1 rpg) is out with a calf strain.
- Guard Marcus Sasser (5.7 ppg) is questionable with a hip strain.
Timberwolves vs. Pistons Prediction
Each team is firmly locked into a postseason spot in their respective conferences, so it’s all about seeding. Detroit opened as a 5.5-point favorite but that line has been halved since that point. Edwards is a question mark for Minnesota but that was the case Monday as well. He delivered 17 points off the bench in the 30-point victory.
Detroit is in good shape to maintain the top seed in the Eastern Conference. With that said, Cunningham being out until at least the playoffs is concerning for the Pistons. Daniss Jenkins has stepped up with Cunningham out but there is marked drop-off between the two. Bickerstaff may play things safe here and limit minutes for his key pieces. Take the Timberwolves on the road.
Our Prediction: Timberwolves +3.5 (Fanatics, -110)
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win Timberwolves vs. Pistons Same Game Parlay
- Timberwolves +3.5 (-110)
- Timberwolves +110
- Jalen Duren (Pistons) Under 23.5 Points (-115)
Odds (Via Fanatics): +650
With Cunningham sidelined and the Pistons holding that edge for the top spot in the East, Detroit may play it safe. This is their third game in four nights while Minnesota had two days off ahead of this one. Minnesota is still trying to secure playoff seeding so they will be ready to go. The Timberwolves were fifth in the Western Conference entering Wednesday but are in striking distance of the Nuggets for the fourth spot. Play them on the moneyline and the spread. Mix in Duren falling short of his point total here and cash in at the final buzzer. Duren was held to just 10 points in just over 29 minutes against the Timberwolves last week. He should have a better night offensively but this number is a little too high with Gobert patrolling the paint.
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