Timberwolves vs Raptors Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Saturday, March 18th

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

Timberwolves vs Raptors NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves at Toronto Raptors
Where: Toronto at Scotiabank Arena
Date: Saturday, March 18th
Betting Odds TOR -8.5, MIN +252 | TOR -320 O/U OFF

So far, the Timberwolves have put together an overall record of 35-36, while going 34-37-0 vs the spread. Over the Timberwolves current 2 game losing streak, they have an average scoring differential of -5.0 points per game.

Minnesota is trying to bounce back from a 139-131 loss to the Bulls. Going into this game, the team was 2 point underdogs on the spread, giving them an ATS loss. Minnesota let an opportunity for a win slip away as they held a lead going into the 2nd half of action. Leading the team in scoring was Mike Conley, as he contributed 28 points while hitting 64.3% of his shots.

The Raptors come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 34-36. So far, the team has gone 35-35-0 against the spread. The Raptors entered today’s game having picked up 2 straight wins. This has come on an average scoring differential of 16.0 points per game.

The Raptors will look to keep things rolling, as they previously beat the Thunder by a score of 128-111. Heading into the game, they were 6 point favorites against the spread, giving them an ATS win. Not only did the team win the game, but they also outscored the Thunder in every quarter. In the win, Pascal Siakam led the team in scoring with 25 points on a field goal percentage of 47.4%.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Timberwolves picked up the win 128-126 win over the Raptors. Heading into the game, Minnesota was the 4.5 point underdogs, giving them an ATS win. This has been the only matchup between the two teams this season. Last year, the Timberwolves saw a drop in overall scoring when playing the Raptors, averaging 96.5 points per game. While the Timberwolves struggled on offense in the series, the Raptors maintained their usual level of scoring at 114.0 vs Minnesota. The Raptors have had the better record vs the spread over the last 5 games, going 3-2. The team’s average scoring margin in these contests sits at 7 points per game. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 1-4. Combined, they averaged 213 points in these games.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

For the season, the Minnesota offense is the 12th ranked unit in the NBA, at 115.7 points per contest. When looking at the Timberwolves pace of play, they tend to play an up-tempo style of basketball. So far, the team is in the upper half of the NBA in possessions per game, averaging 101.3. Heading into the game, the Timberwolves will look to continue with their formula of playing fast and getting to the basket, as they are near the top of the league in two-point fields made per game.

Currently, the Timberwolves defense is ranked 24th in points allowed. So far, opposing teams are averaging 113.3 points per game vs the unit.

One situation to keep an eye on leading up the game is the availability of Anthony Edwards, as he is currently questionable on the injury report. If he is able to play, the team will have it’s 1-2 punch availble as Edwards leads the team in scoring at 24.7 points per game while Gobert is 2nd at 13.8. For the season, Edwards is 26th in the NBA in usage rate and 80th in player efficiency. Behind him, Gobert has taken 9.1% of the team’s field goal attempts, connecting at a rate of 66.9%.

This season, the Toronto offense has had their problems scoring the ball as they are a below average unit at 112.8 points per game. Coming into today’s game, the Raptors will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 10.9 made 3’s per game. If the Toronto offense is going to improve, they must continue to do a good job avoiding turnovers. Currently, the unit is 1st in fewest turnovers per game.

Defensively, the Raptors are one of the top performing units in the league, giving up 107.1 points per contest (7th).

Power-Foward Pascal Siakam currently leads the Raptors at 24.2 points per game. For the season, he is 47th in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 20.4% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, Siakam is averaging 7.7 boards and 5.9 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 5th ranked defense at defending power-fowards. Fred VanVleet enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 58 games, he is averaging 19.4 and is 107th in the league in player efficiency rating.