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The Detroit Pistons will pay a visit to Target Center to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 3:30 PM tip on Sunday. With that said, it’s a good time to check out our NBA odds series, which includes our Pistons-Timberwolves prediction, odds, and pick we have laid out below.
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These two teams just faced off last Thursday, with Minnesota coming out on top in a 128-117 victory. The Detroit Pistons are also coming off a 102-93 defeat to the Boston Celtics on Friday. They are on a three-game losing streak that could extend to four as they visit a surging Timberwolves squad.
Meanwhile, Minnesota has won its last three games and has a good chance to go on their third 4-plus game-winning streak this season. They just beat the Pistons on Thursday led by Anthony Edwards' 25 points as seven total Timberwolves scored in double-figures. They also handed double-digit defeats to the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets, two teams ahead of them in the Western Conference standings.
Here is how FanDuel has set the Pistons–Timberwolves NBA odds for this Sunday afternoon NBA matchup.
NBA Odds: Pistons–Timberwolves Odds
Detroit Pistons: +12 (-114)
Minnesota Timberwolves: -12 (-106)
Over: 230 (-110)
Under: 230 (-110)
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Why The Pistons Could Cover The Spread
The Detroit Pistons are coming in as major underdogs for this game, as seen with the wide 12-point spread. As mentioned, they've lost three straight, including an 11-point defeat to this same Minnesota team just three nights ago. The Pistons lost those three outings by an average of 10 points.
One thing to keep an eye on is Cade Cunningham's availability for Sunday. The Pistons listed him as questionable with a right hip pointer. The 2021 No. 1 overall pick has missed Detroit's last two outings. The Pistons will be without Josh Jackson for the fifth straight game with right lumbar spine tightness.
Cunningham has been playing well prior to suffering his hip injury and has climbed up to the top of the NBA's latest Rookie of the Year ladder. After a slow start to his debut campaign, Cunningham has picked it up with averages of 15.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 41 games.
Detroit also got Jerami Grant back this past week. He returned from a one-and-a-half-month absence on Tuesday in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. In three games since coming back, Grant averaged 15.7 points and 3.0 rebounds. He is shooting just 39.0 percent from the field but has converted on 41.2 percent of his shots from beyond the 3-point line.
The Pistons are 12-40 on the season and are a dismal 4-22 on the road. Against the spread, however, Detroit has been relatively even at 25-26.
Why The Timberwolves Could Cover The Spread
The Minnesota Timberwolves have the obvious advantage, but will they be able to cover the huge spread? They did so in their last encounter versus this same Pistons team. They had a 7-point advantage heading into the game and ended up winning by 11. Minnesota also beat the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets by 15 and 20 points, respectively.
Karl-Anthony Towns, who was named to his third All-Star selection this week, showed why he deserved the honor with strong performances during their three-game winning streak. Towns averaged 26.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in those three games. Anthony Edwards is also having a magnificent sophomore campaign.
Veteran guard Patrick Beverley returned earlier this week after missing five straight games with an ankle injury. In his two games back, he has averaged 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. Beverley is listed as questionable for the ankle issue, but it's likely just for precautionary purposes. D'Angelo Russell is also probable due to a left shin contusion. Russell has missed Minnesota's last four outings with the injury. In addition, Josh Okogie (right quad contusion) and Leandro Bolmaro (left ankle sprain) are also questionable ahead of Sunday's game.
The Timberwolves sit at 7th in the Western Conference with a 27-25 record. They are 15-10 at the Target Center and are an even 8-8 versus Eastern Conference teams. They also have a similar 27-25 record against the spread.
Final Pistons–Timberwolves Prediction & Pick
This is a tough pick because of the wide 12-point spread. But the Timberwolves could be the safer bet here. They are at home and just beat the Pistons on Thursday. Moreover, they must be feeling good about themselves with three straight solid outings.
Do keep an eye on the status of D'Angelo Russell and Patrick Beverley for Minnesota, and Cade Cunningham for Detroit. Their availability should influence how competitive this game will be. Still, despite playing without Russell, the Timberwolves were able to take down the Nuggets by 15. They should be able to handle a bottom-tier squad like the Pistons easily in case he sits out.
Final Pistons–Timberwolves Prediction & Pick: Timberwolves: -12 (-106)
