The Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets will square off in an inter-conference preseason matchup on Thursday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Timberwolves-Nets prediction and pick.
The Timberwolves and Nets will each continue their preseason tune-up ahead of the regular season, which kicks off next week. While Kyrie Irving is still not with Brooklyn, they still have their eyes set on the NBA title with Kevin Durant, James Harden and others. The Timberwolves, behind a core of Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, are looking to get back to the postseason for the first time since they had Jimmy Butler on the roster.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the Timberwolves-Nets odds for this Thursday matchup.
NBA Odds: Timberwolves-Nets Odds
Minnesota Timberwolves +6.5 (-110)
Brooklyn Nets -6.5 (-110)
Over 227.5 points (-115)
Under 227.5 points (-105)
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Why The Timberwolves Can Cover The Spread
There is little reason for the Nets to push their guys very hard in this one, as they open the season early next week and feature a roster of experienced veterans who are likely ready for the season by this point. They don't list anyone besides Irving on the injury report, but they might pull their key guys rather early. If this becomes a game of training camp guys and reserves, there's no reason to the Timberwolves can't cover. Even if the Nets play their key guys a good bit, the preseason is wonky and taking the points is never the worst idea if you for some reason feel compelled to put money on this.
Why The Nets Can Cover The Spread
The Nets are the better, deeper team overall. How much they actually try to win their game with key players remains to be seen, however. Obviously if Durant and Harden play in the fourth quarter, they'll have a great chance to cover. Given that they are already down one star in Irving, it may be risky to lay the points with Brooklyn tonight. They can't afford to lose Durant or Harden, so they may be cautious in regards to how much they play their superstars in a game that ultimately means nothing.
Final Timberwolves-Nets Prediction & Pick
Trying to get a read on the end of the NBA preseason is a futile task. Rotations and minutes are all over the place, and key players often don't close games. Training camp guys and reserves likely decide the outcome of this game, just take the over and ride it out if you want to make a play on this game. Reading into how much guys are going to play at this point in the preseason is very difficult and risking money on either team just for them to pull star players in the second quarter is too risky.
FINAL TIMBERWOLVES-NETS PREDICTION & PICK: Over 227.5 (-115)
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