Celtics vs Timberwolves Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Wednesday, March 15th

Check out our free Celtics vs Timberwolves pick and preview for this NBA game in Minneapolis. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Celtics vs Timberwolves NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Boston Celtics at Minnesota Timberwolves
Where: Minneapolis at Target Center
Date: Wednesday, March 15th
Betting Odds MIN +5, BOS -203 | MIN +168 O/U 233.5

The Celtics come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 47-22. So far, the team has gone 35-32-2 against the spread. In the teams past 3 games, their overall mark sits at 2-1. Boston is 2-1 vs the spread in these matchups.

In their previous game, the Celtics were favored to win vs the Rockets. However, their 111-109 loss, gave them both a straight up and ATS loss. Boston was not able to turn things around in the 2nd half, as they trailed the Rockets by 2 going into halftime. Leading the team in scoring was Jaylen Brown, as he contributed 43 points while hitting 64.0% of his shots.

The Timberwolves come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 35-34. So far, the team has gone 33-36-0 against the spread. Over the team’s past 3 games, Minnesota has an overall record of 1-2, including going 1-2 against the spread.

Minnesota is going for yet another win, as they previously defeated the Hawks at home. With the 136-115 victory, they also covered the spread as 5 point underdogs. Minnesota was able to take care of business in the second half of this game, as they didn’t allow the Hawks to cut into their 24 point halftime lead. Leading the team in scoring was Anthony Edwards, as he contributed 32 points while hitting 48.0% of his shots.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Celtics picked up the 121-109 win over the Timberwolves. The Celtics point margin of victory was enough to cover the spread as 9.5 point favorite. This has been the only matchup between the two teams this season. In last year’s head-to-head meetings, the Celtics averaged 118.5 points per game vs Minnesota, which was an increase over their season-long average. However, the Timberwolves actually averaged fewer points per game than their season-long mark. Across their head-to-head matchups with Boston, the team averaged 110.0 points per game. The Celtics have had the better record vs the spread over the last 5 games, going 4-1. The team’s average scoring margin in these contests sits at 11 points per game. In these contests, they averaged a combined 239 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 3-2.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

Coming into today’s action, Boston is averaging 117.7 points per contest. This figure places them 4th in the league. The Celtics come into the game as one of the league’s better 3-point shooting teams, connecting at a rate of 15.9 made 3’s per game. A key to the teams offensive success is their ability to avoid turning the ball over. So far, Boston is ranked 8th in fewest turnovers per game.

On the defensive end of the floor, the Celtics are giving up an average of 104.48 points per game, good for 1st in the NBA.

Small-Forward Jayson Tatum currently leads the Celtics at 30.3 points per game. For the season, he is 11th in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 24.3% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, Tatum is averaging 8.9 boards and 4.8 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 22nd ranked defense at defending small-forwards. Jaylen Brown enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 57 games, he is averaging 26.6 and is 59th in the league in player efficiency rating.

Minnesota will look to continue with their strong offensive play, as they are averaging 115.7 points per game (10th). So far, Minnesota is averaging 101.2 possessions per game, making them one of the more up-tempo teams in the league. Minnesota has been effective on offense due to the fact that they not only play an up-tempo style, but they have one of the best effective field goal percentages in the league at 56.1%.

Against the Celtics, the Timberwolves will need a stronger defensive effort as they are ranked just 24th in points allowed.

Before getting a bet down on this matchup, be sure to check in on the health status of Rudy Gobert who is 2nd on the team in scoring at 13.7 points per game. At the time of this article, Gobert is listed as questionable. For the season, he is 11th on the team in usage rate and is 72nd in the NBA in player efficiency rating. If he is able to play, Minnesota benefit from having both of their top scorers as Anthony Edwards leads the team and is 23rd in the league in scoring (24.9). For today’s matchup, he will going against a defense ranked 11th in points allowed to shooting guards.