Two teams that have made winning starts to the new NBA season meet in the Twin Cities on Sunday night when the Minnesota Timberwolves host the Toronto Raptors.
Both reshaped their rosters with big summer moves, but which team will make it three wins from three?
Raptors vs. Timberwolves betting picks and predictions
Minnesota Timberwolves ML (-112)
The first two games of the season have gone exactly to plan for both the Timberwolves and Raptors following their splashy offseason moves.
Minnesota traded for point guard LaMelo Ball, pairing him with All-Star Anthony Edwards in a high-scoring backcourt. Through two games, the Timberwolves have a league-high 17.5 threes-per-game.
The Raptors brought back their 2019 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, in the hope that the two-time Defensive Player of the Year would add to an already ferocious defense. At this early stage, the Raptors have the best Defensive Rating in the league.
However, the three-point volume of the Timberwolves could put a dent in the Raptors’ solid start without the ball.
Freed from ball-handling duties, Edwards appears to have gone up a level. Minnesota also has Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr who are shooting well from distance.
Toronto’s three-point percentage of 26.2% is the third-worst in the league, and that disparity could prove decisive.
Ja’Kobe Walter 2+ steals (+165)
While this is a difficult spot for Toronto, they should continue with their relentless pressure defensively. Minnesota have a solid record when it comes to turnovers, but the Raptors’ bench options mean they will harry opposing guards for 48 minutes.
They also jump into passing lanes chasing steals, and that tactic has paid off early this season.
Third-year guard Ja’Kobe Walter has five steals in two games, following on from averaging 2.0 steals per game in the playoffs. That jump looks sustainable in a defensively solid bench unit, and Walter can get another couple of steals Sunday night.
RJ Barrett 20+ points (+135)
With Kawhi Leonard still easing back to his best, and franchise player Scottie Barnes likely to take on a tough defensive assignment, RJ Barrett’s scoring potential could be overlooked.
Barnes and Leonard will top-line opposition scouting reports this season, while point guard Immanuel Quickley spaces the floor and handles the ball. Barrett picks his moments in between, and he’s become an efficient scorer.
Barrett closed the last regular season well, before scoring 20+ points in six of his seven postseason appearances, averaging 24.1 points per game. He’s started with two 20-point performances, and he looks set to get another favourable matchup here.
Rudy Gobert 10+ points (+120)
The Bulls' only true center, Jalen Smith, scored 15 points in 19 minutes against the Raptors on opening night. Some dire finishing from the Washington Wizards’ Anthony Davis prevented him from troubling the Raptors in the same way in their last game.
Rudy Gobert averaged 14 points across the two meetings between these teams last season, and the Raptors’ defensive intensity should leave gaps under the basket that the 7’1” Frenchman can exploit.
Gobert had 14 points against a similarly defensively focused Orlando Magic team in their last game. He averaged 11.5 points per game at home last season, and he can impress in Minnesota’s home opener.
Read more betting picks and predictions for the NBA on site.
Raptors vs. Timberwolves odds
Toronto Raptors | -108 |
Minnesota Timberwolves | -112 |
Spread | MIN Timberwolves -1.5 |
Total Points | O/U 230.5 |
Raptors vs. Timberwolves player props
Player points
Anthony Edwards (MIN Timberwolves) | O/U 27.5 |
Kawhi Leonard (TOR Raptors) | O/U 23.5 |
Scottie Barnes (TOR Raptors) | O/U 19.5 |
LaMelo Ball (MIN Timberwolves) | O/U 17.5 |
RJ Barrett (TOR Raptors) | O/U 17.5 |
Immanuel Quickley (TOR Raptors) | O/U 15.5 |
Raptors vs. Timberwolves Team News
Donte DiVincenzo is a long-term absentee for the Timberwolves, following his achilles injury in the playoffs last season.
Minnesota has a clean bill of health outside of that, while the Raptors only injury concern is two-way center Nate Bittle.
Read the latest NBA news on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
