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2024-25 Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions and Odds to Win NBA Finals

by Spencer Toth - 10/11/2024

Minnesota Timberwolves predictions Anthony Edwards

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been able to find sustained regular season success but have been unable to turn their dominance into playoff accolades. Their defense remains one of the most consistent units in the league, and the front office made several high-profile acquisitions in the offseason. Can this be the year the Timberwolves finally take the next step, or will it be back to the drawing board once again for Minnesota? 

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Minnesota Timberwolves Offseason Recap

The Minnesota Timberwolves sent waves through the NBA when they pulled off a blockbuster trade with the New York Knicks in early October. Minnesota traded away longtime Timberwolf Karl-Anthony Towns and a second-round pick in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincezno, Keita Bates-Diop, and a first round pick from the Pistons. Let’s start with the departed. Towns was drafted by the Timberwolves in 2015 and played all nine of his NBA seasons in Minnesota. He scored 20+ PPG in each of the last 8 seasons and shot 41.6% from behind the arc last year. He was ‘shocked’ to find out he had been traded to New York, as it was clear he intended to continue his tenure with the Timberwolves. Towns’ departure will alter the Timberwolves lineup, as he and Rudy Gobert made quite the impact in the paint. Towns’ recent playoff disappointments likely started the blockbuster deal, but there is no doubting he will be missed by the Minnesota faithful. 

Onto the good. The Timberwolves receive two excellent producers from New York in addition to a first round pick. Julius Randle was the leading man for the Knicks for several seasons, but the arrival of Jalen Brunson left Randle as an afterthought. He got off to a slow start last year, then got injured for long stretches. However, Randle is still in his 20s and has shown flashes of brilliance during his time in the league. His post game is strong, but his lack of decision-making skills prevents him from being a primary ball handler. He will pair up nicely with Gobert and Naz Reid inside, and he won’t have to worry about guarding centers as one of those aforementioned two will always be on the court with him. 

The Knicks fans were OK to lose Randle in exchange for Towns, but the reaction to the loss of Donte DiVincenzo should fill the Timberwolves fans with optimism. DiVincenzo is one of the most lethal three-point shooters in the game, and he is able to not only catch and shoot but create his own shots, too. His 15.5 PPG on 40.1% from deep were both career highs last year. He will bring energy off the bench and will be challenging Mike Conley for the starting role by the season’s end. 

Minnesota Timberwolves Season Expectations

The Timberwolves have qualified for the playoffs in three straight seasons, winning their first playoff series since 2004 last year. They swept the Suns in the first round before beating the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, in the second round. They ultimately failed to reach the NBA Finals after getting beat by the Mavericks, but they gained valuable playoff experience during their run. 

There are many reasons for optimism for Minnesota, as they have the roster needed to compete in a competitive Western Conference. Anthony Edwards is one of the most explosive players in the league, landing highlight reel dunks on a nightly basis. Edwards is still just 23 years old but has already shown he is capable of leading this team offensively. 

Defensively, Rudy Gobert continues to make an impact. He won his fourth career DPOY last season and finished in the top 5 in voting four other years, too. His ability to not only block shots, but switch onto guards in the open floor, makes him an incredibly valuable piece for any NBA team. The Timberwolves have a very balanced roster on both ends of the court and have the bench needed to survive a grueling 82-game season. 

Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule Breakdown

The Timberwolves have the privilege of kicking off the new NBA season by playing the LA Lakers on opening night. There will be millions of eyes tuned into that game against LeBron James and his son Bronny James, but the Timberwolves will have to avoid getting distracted and focus on the task at hand. Minnesota avoids any lengthy road trips until the final weeks of the season, when they go on a 5-game trip. They visit the Nuggets, Nets, 76ers, Bucks, and Grizzlies before wrapping up their year with a pair of home games against the Nets and Jazz. 

Minnesota Timberwolves Odds

The Timberwolves are -1000 to make the postseason and are expected to challenge for an NBA title this year. They are tied for the fifth best championship odds at +1000, as it is clear the bookies are happy with their offseason moves. Their win total for the regular season is 52.5 wins, which could be argued is too low. They finished with a 56-26 record last year and probably got better over the offseason. Injuries could always derail a regular season record, but the Timberwolves have enough depth to match their season from last year. 

In the NBA Cup, the Timberwolves find themselves in a very winnable West Group A. They are +150 to win the group featuring the Kings, Clippers, Rockets, and Trail Blazers. They get to face the Rockets and Clippers at home and should have few problems finishing on top. They have identical +1000 odds to win both the NBA Cup and NBA championship. 

2024-25 Minnesota Timberwolves Season Predictions and Best Bets

The Timberwolves will have another successful NBA season, with their eyes already set on a fourth consecutive playoff appearance. The 52.5 win total is a fair place to start, but I still think they will be able to surpass this mark. Minnesota got better by picking up Randle and DiVincenzo for Towns. Not only that, but their best player, Edwards, is now a year older, yet their win total implies they will lose a few games they won last year. Minnesota will finish with a 55-27 record, just eclipsing their preseason win total. 

The +1000 odds on a championship are a little bit too short to touch at this stage, but there is good value with the NBA Cup. Minnesota are the favorites to finish on top of their group, but the +150 odds imply they do so well less than half of the time. Not only do I think the Timberwolves can win their group, they are one of my favorite teams to win the entire NBA Cup. This team feels like they have been on the brink of something special for years now, and the NBA Cup could be a good first target before the championship. Edwards and DiVincenzo will deliver on offense, while Gobert continues to clamp down the league’s best big men. Minnesota will have a fantastic regular season. And while I won’t write off a championship, they don’t have enough value to win four straight playoff rounds at +1000 odds. 

Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves Over 52.5 Wins

Top Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves to Win Group A +150

Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves to win the NBA Cup +1000

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