The All-Star break is over for the Timberwolves and Bucks, and both teams are going back to work tonight, February 23, at Target Centar, where the home team, Minnesota, is a 5-point favorite. The Timberwolves were on a four-game winning streak before the one-week hiatus due to the All-Star and are still the top seed in the Western Conference.
Their border neighbor Milwaukee is 3rd in the East but is arriving at the Twin Cities on the heels of a two-game losing streak, which can easily extend to three games considering the Timberwolves already defeated the Bucks on the road 129-105 earlier this month. A Caesars sports promo code is available for betting on this exciting game, with both teams going to the playoffs as title contenders.
The Bucks Hope to Bounce Back
The arrival of new head coach Doc Rivers did not improve the Bucks' record. They have lost seven out of their last ten games, with the Grizzlies outsourcing them 113-110 last Thursday and negating the Bucks's 14-point favorite status allocated by betting apps. Despite the bad result under Rivers, most players are happy with the change in the coaching position. It's time to see if the break has allowed the Bucks to regroup and continue the 2023-24 campaign as a contender.
Milwaukee is one of the best scoring offenses in the NBA, with 122 points per night, sufficient to rank 2nd. Their field goal percentage is 49.4%, and they shoot 37.5% from beyond the arc, typically generating 14.2 threes a game. Offensively, the Bucks rank as a top-10 team in most statistical categories, but defensively, they rank 23rd as a scoring defense, permitting opponents to score 118.8 points on average.
The offense revolves around Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 30.8 points and 11.2 rebounds per contest this season. Damian Lillard contributes 24.6 points and 6.7 assists, Khris Middleton chips in with 14.8 points a night, and Brook Lopez generates 13 points a game. The roster's packed with excellent starters and reliable secondary options.
Timberwolves Seem Unstoppable
Minnesota feels dominant this season, with their 39-16 record placing them at the top of the Western Conference. The team is not short of talent at every position. Six players average double-digit points each night, with Anthony Edwards leading the pack with 26.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per night, while Karl-Anthony Towns is right behind Edwards, contributing 22.5 points and 8.4 rebounds.
The vital player on defense is center Rudy Gobert, who has 12.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks but also scores 13.7 points a game. The Frenchman is also on a seven-game double-double streak. As a collective, Minnesota averages 112.7 points per game, with competent shooting of 49% from the floor and 39.3% from beyond the arc. The key to success is defense, with the Timberwolves ranking as the number one team in scoring defense, allowing 106.7 points a game. Minnesota has no injuries for tonight's game and should be poised to play well at home.
Betting Prediction
At the moment, Minnesota is the better team, but the Bucks have the talent to stage an upset. According to apps for sports betting, a moneyline bet for the Timberwolves is worth -195 odds, and the Bucks get a +165 betting line for the same bet. Minnesota has a habit of covering the spread and receiving -110 odds to cover, with the identical odds applicable for Milwaukee to cover as a 5-point underdog. The total is 238 points with -110 odds for the Over and Under bet.
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