The Toronto Raptors (27-14) will travel to the Target Center to challenge the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-26). The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 18, 2020, and will air on CTV Sportsnet Toronto.
Toronto Raptors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Odds
In the Raptors’ last outing, they easily got past the Washington Wizards, 140-111, comfortably covering as 1-point favorites. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, were beaten by the Indiana Pacers, 116-114, and were not able to cover as 4.5-point underdogs. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Toronto game went 38 points over the projected point total of 213, while the Minnesota game finished 12.5 points over the projected point total of 217.5.
The Raptors had a ridiculous effective field goal percentage of 0.692 (above their season average of 0.525), while the Wizards had a turnover percentage of 20.8 (above their season average of 11.4). Minnesota, on the other hand, held Indiana to an offensive rebounding percentage of 12.1 (below their season average of 21.2). Karl-Anthony Towns put together a good game for Minnesota with 27 points and five rebounds. Norman Powell, meanwhile had a good outing for Toronto, recording 28 points and five rebounds.
The Raptors dominated this series last year, securing victories in both games. In the most recent game, Toronto won 120-100. The Raptors’ offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over the Timberwolves. Toronto had a rate of 18.9, while Minnesota posted a mark of 9.6. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Vegas is extremely accurate when setting the total of Raptors games, with an even split between overs and unders. Toronto holds records of 27-14 straight up (SU) and 21-18-1 against the spread (ATS).
Games featuring the Timberwolves have a slight tendency to go over the O/U total (52.5 percent). Moreover, Minnesota owns records of 15-26 SU and 16-22-2 ATS.
The Raptors’ Serge Ibaka has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 19 points,10.8 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Jarrett Culver has averaged 16 points,5.8 rebounds during that same time frame for the Timberwolves.
The inefficient offense of Minnesota will square off against the stingy defense of Toronto. The Timberwolves rank 23rd in offensive efficiency, while the Raptors are second in defensive efficiency. The Raptors figure to have the advantage on that side of the ball.
Raptors vs. Timberwolves Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Raptors rank fourth in steals allowed per game (6.9) while the Timberwolves rank 11th (7.3).
- Minnesota averages 39.0 three pointers per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Toronto ranks 27th in three pointers allowed per game (38.1).
- The Raptors rank second in points off turnovers per game (19.8) while the Timberwolves rank 22nd (16.0).
- Minnesota averages 14.0 second chance points per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. Toronto ranks 25th in second chance points allowed per game (14.0).
- Toronto ranks second in points allowed in the paint per game (42.3) while Minnesota ranks 19th (48.8).
- The Raptors rank third in fast break points per game (17.9) while the Timberwolves rank 26th (10.3).
- The Raptors average 46.0 rebounds per game, which ranks 11th in the league. The Timberwolves rank 29th in rebounds allowed per game (48.3).
- Minnesota averages 6.1 blocks per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Toronto ranks 23rd in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
- Toronto is 11-3 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Minnesota is 2-1.
- The Timberwolves are 14-19 when they score over 100 points, while the Raptors are 25-9.
- Toronto is 10-8-1 ATS on the road, while Minnesota is 5-13-1 ATS at home.
- Of the Raptors’ 19 road games, they have 11 unders and 8 overs.
- The Timberwolves have 10 unders and 9 overs in 19 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Toronto and Minnesota have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Raptors are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Timberwolves are 1-4.
- During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 117.0 points per game (5.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 109.6 points per game (3.8 above their season average).
- The Timberwolves’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 7.2, up from 3.2 for the season.
