Minnesota Timberwolves vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction, 2/15/2024 Preview and Pick
Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Portland Trail Blazers
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024
Location: Moda Center in Portland, OR
TV: ROOT Sports
The Portland Trail Blazers (15-38) will try to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves (38-16) at Moda Center on Thursday.
The Timberwolves took the court against the Trail Blazers and took home the win by a score of 121-109 in their last contest. Minnesota ended the contest with a 46.4% FG percentage (39 of 84) and knocked down 13 of their 33 shots from beyond the arc. From the free throw line, the Timberwolves knocked down 30 of 34 shots for a rate of 88.2%. In relation to grabbing rebounds, they earned a total of 41 with 12 of them being on the offensive end. They also dished out 24 assists in this contest as well as creating 16 turnovers and earning 8 steals. When discussing defending, Minnesota allowed the other team to go 44.8% from the field on 39 out of 87 shooting. Portland doled out 26 assists and had 5 steals in the game. Additionally, Portland collected 44 rebounds (12 offensive, 32 defensive) and earned 9 blocks. Portland finished shooting 80.0% from the free throw line by making 20 of their 25 attempts. They made 11 of their 29 shots from distance. When it comes to personal fouls, the Timberwolves left the arena with 18 while the Trail Blazers totaled 29 personal fouls.
Anthony Edwards is someone who was a factor for the matchup. Edwards finished the contest at 59.3% from the field and totaled 2 assists. He was on the court for 34 mins played and also collected 4 rebounds. He walked away with 41 points on 16 of 27 shooting.
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Minnesota will enter this matchup with a mark of 38-16 for the season. They cough up possession 14.8 times per game and as a squad they commit 19.5 personal fouls every game. As a team, Minnesota is pulling in 43.7 boards per contest and has tallied 1,430 assists so far this season, which ranks 14th in the NBA in terms of passing the ball. The Timberwolves are connecting on 39.3% from downtown (680 of 1,730) and 78.2% from the charity stripe. They currently have an average of 113.7 points per contest (20th in the NBA) while going 49.0% from the floor.
On the defensive end of the court, the Timberwolves are able to force 14.0 turnovers per contest and they draw 20.3 fouls. They are currently ranked 4th in the league in giving up assists to the opposition with 1,318 relinquished on the year. The Timberwolves defense is allowing a FG percentage of 44.8% (2,109 of 4,710) and they surrender 40.3 boards per contest as a team. They are giving up 35.3% on 3-point shots and they are ranked 1st in the league in PPG allowed (107.0).
The last time they took the hardwood, the Trail Blazers took a loss by a final score of 121-109 when they played the Timberwolves. When it comes to rebounds, Portland allowed Minnesota to grab 41 overall (12 on the offensive glass). They shot 39.4% from beyond the arc by shooting 13 of 33 and finished the game at 30 of 34 from the free throw line (88.2%). The Trail Blazers permitted the Timberwolves to convert 39 out of their 84 tries from the floor which gave them a rate of 46.4% for this game. At the conclusion of this game, the Trail Blazers went 39 for 87 from the field which gave them a rate of 44.8%. In terms of shots from distance, Portland converted 11 of their 29 tries (37.9%). They were able to bury 20 of the free throw tries for a clip of 80.0%. The Timberwolves committed 18 fouls for this game which got the Trail Blazers to the charity stripe for 25 attempts. They gave up possession of the ball 16 times, while recording 5 steals in this matchup. The Trail Blazers were able to snag 32 defensive boards and 12 offensive rebounds for a total of 44 for this game.
Deandre Ayton was important for the Trail Blazers for the contest. Ayton tallied 22 points in his 32 mins on the court and had 1 assist in this game. He buried 11 of 12 in this matchup for a rate of 91.7%, and accounted for 16 rebounds.
Portland has a record of 15-38 on the season. As an offense, the Trail Blazers are shooting 44.1% from the field, which ranks them 29th in basketball. Portland has 5,734 points so far this season (108.2 per contest) and they pull down 41.5 rebounds per contest. They are getting an assist 22.7 times per contest (30th in the NBA) and they cough up possession 14.9 times per game. The Trail Blazers have committed 20.5 fouls per game and they connect on 79.9% from the free throw line.
The Portland defense surrenders 34.6% on 3-point attempts (611 of 1,764) and opponents are converting on 79.5% of their shots from the charity stripe. They have surrendered 27.5 assists and 44.4 rebounds per contest, which is 21st and 21st in the NBA. The Trail Blazers on the defensive end are ranked 17th in basketball in points per game surrendered with 116.5. They are forcing their opponents into 14.6 TO's per game and have let teams shoot 49.4% from the field (25th in the league).
Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?
Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Portland
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Additional Resources:
Portland Trail Blazers - Twitter
Minnesota Timberwolves - Twitter