NBA Portland Trail Blazers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 11-16-2018, 20:00 EDT

Spread: Minnesota Timberwolves +1.5

Total: +222.5

Two Western Conference teams with playoff hopes for the season but only one achieving them so far, the Portland Trail Blazers, looking to bounce back after their latest defeat, are hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have won their first game after the Jimmy Butler trade.

Blazers are 10-4 so far in the league and are sitting on the 2^nd place of the Western Conference. In their latest matchup they saw a 4-game victory streak end with a road defeat by the Los Angeles Lakers, 117-126. Wolves are 6-9 so far in the league and are sitting in the 14^th place of the Western Conference. They have lost their last two games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against New Orleans at home, 107-100.

Top Basketball Bookmakers

Portland are led in scoring by Damian Lillard with 26.4 ppg. He also adds 5.2 rebounds and leads the team in assists made with 6.2 per game, while CJ McCollum follows with 20.6 ppg, adding 3.9 rebounds per game. Minnesota are led in scoring by Karl-Anthony Towns with 20.6 ppg. He also leads the team in rebounding with 11.9 per game, while Derrick Rose follows with 19.2 ppg, adding 4.8 assists per game.

This will be the second meeting between those two teams so far this season, with Portland having won the previous one at home by 30 points. Minnesota are 6-1 at home so far, while Portland are 3-2 on the road. Portland have both a better offense with 115.9 ppg to Minnesota’s 110.9 ppg and a better defense, allowing 107.6 ppg to Minnesota’s 116.2. Blazers also have a better accuracy both from the field, shooting with 46.3% to Minnesota’s 43.5% and from behind the arc, shooting with 36.9% to Minnesota’s 36.7%. Minnesota on the other hand dish more assists per game (22.9 to 20.6) and commit fewer turnovers (13.6 to 14.1), while Portland are better in rebounding (51.8 to 43.8). Minnesota have been very strong at home so far this season and they look rejuvenated after the Jimmy Butler trade, so expect them to win today one way or another.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves +1.5 (-110)