Timberwolves vs Trail Blazers: Preview, Odds, and Predictions for NBA Cup Group Play

The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Portland Trail Blazers are set to face off in an exciting Northwest Division matchup on Tuesday, November 12, as part of the 2024 NBA Cup. The game will tip off at 10:00 PM ET at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter in Portland, Oregon.

The Timberwolves, currently standing at 6-4 overall and 2-2 on the road, are favored by 8.5 points according to the latest odds. Minnesota has been in strong form, having won five straight games against the Trail Blazers, including a recent 127-102 victory on Friday. In these five games, the Timberwolves have won by an average margin of 20.4 points per game, with four of those wins coming by more than 10 points[2][4][6].

Portland, with a 3-8 overall record and a 1-4 home record, is looking to break a three-game losing streak. Despite their poor record, the Trail Blazers have been respectable against the spread, going 5-6 ATS, including 2-3 when underdogs by at least eight points. The Trail Blazers had a recent lopsided loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, which allowed their starters to get some rest, potentially benefiting them in this upcoming game[2][5][6].

Key players to watch include Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves, who has scored over 30 points in three of his last four games against Portland, and Julius Randle, who added 22 points and 6 rebounds in their recent victory over the Trail Blazers. For Portland, Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons are crucial, with Grant averaging 18.3 points and Simons ranking high in free-throw percentage[2][4][6].

The betting lines show the Timberwolves as significant favorites, with a money line of -397 for Minnesota and +310 for Portland. The over/under is set at 218.5 points. Analysts and models suggest that the Timberwolves are likely to cover the spread and win comfortably, given their recent dominance over the Trail Blazers[2][4][6].

The SportsLine Projection Model, which has a strong track record of NBA picks, simulates every game 10,000 times and is leaning towards the over and suggests that one side of the spread hits in well over 60% of simulations. This model has been on a 106-70 roll on all top-rated NBA picks since last season[2].

Given the current form and historical data, the Timberwolves are expected to bounce back from their recent loss to the Miami Heat and secure a victory against the struggling Trail Blazers[4][5][6].