Minnesota Timberwolves vs Miami Heat Prediction, Preview and Odds - 01/03/2026

Game Time: 5:00 pm ET, Saturday, January 3, 2026

Venue:  Kaseya Center, Miami, FL

Where to Watch:  NBA TV

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Timberwolves -2.5, Heat +2.5; Over/Under:  238.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Timberwolves -2.5, Heat +2.5; Over/Under:  238.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Timberwolves -2.5, Heat +2.5; Over/Under:  238.5 points

Minnesota Timberwolves:  21-13 (3rd place, Northwest Division)

Miami Heat:  19-15 (2nd place, Southeast Division)

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Minnesota Timberwolves:  6-4 last 10

Miami Heat:  5-5 last 10

The Timberwolves are entering this game with a 21-13 record overall this season and they are 9-7 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Atlanta Hawks. Anthony Edwards led the team in points in that game with 30 while Julius Randle was next on the team with 19 points. Donte DiVincenzo led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Rudy Gobert led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 42.5% from the field, 35% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 118.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 114.6 PPG against them. The Timberwolves have an ATS record of 13-21 this season and their O/U record is 15-19.

The Heat are entering this game with a 19-15 record overall this season and they are 12-5 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 4 game winning streak with wins coming against the Atlanta Hawks, the Indiana Pacers, the Denver Nuggets, and the Detroit Pistons. Norman Powell led the team in points in that game with 36 while Jaime Jaquez Jr. was next on the team with 19 points. Davion Mitchell led the team in assists in that game with 11 while Bam Adebayo led the team in rebounds with 14. They were 43.4% from the field, 35.9% from 3-point range, and 90% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 120.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 117.4 PPG against them. The Heat have an ATS record of 20-14 this season and their O/U record is 16-18.

The current betting odds have the Timberwolves listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Timberwolves have looked good in their games this season with their 21-13 record overall which has them in the top half of the West. They have been a good road team too with their 9-7 road record this year. Meanwhile, the Heat have looked good in their games this season with their 19-15 record overall which has them in the top half of the East. They have looked great on their home court too with their 12-5 home record this season. The Heat have a ton of momentum on their side at the moment with 4 wins in a row now, but they are only 5-5 in their last 10 games and have been really up and down all year. They are off a road win over the Pistons in their last one and have beaten some good teams lately, but this isn't a consistent team and this is a bad situation for them too. The Timberwolves are 6-4 in their last 10 games and they have been starting to find their rhythm lately with some good wins against some of the top opponents in the league. They are off a bad loss to the Hawks in their last one and it was a bit of an embarrassment for them, but they are going to be motivated to bounce back in this game and will bring their best effort. This 4 game winning streak for the Heat is due to come to an end soon with how inconsistent they are, and this is a great game for it to end with a more talented Timberwolves team coming into town, looking for a bounce back win too. The best way to place a bet here is on the Timberwolves to cover the spread in this game. 

Timberwolves Heat Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Saturday, January 3, 2026 (5:00 pm ET start time) is Timberwolves 123 Heat 114.

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Minnesota Timberwolves: 20-13 ATS when the total is greater than or equal to 230. 26-17 ATS off a road loss. 12-5 ATS off an upset loss as a road favorite. 23-10 UNDER when the total is greater than or equal to 230. 12-5 UNDER off an upset loss as a road favorite.

Miami Heat: 14-20 ATS as a home underdog. 4-8 ATS at home against Northwest division opponents. 18-24 ATS at home versus good offensive teams - scoring 116+ points/game. 22-8 UNDER after successfully covering the spread in 3 or more consecutive games. 29-21 UNDER off a road win.

Minnesota Timberwolves:  T. Shannon Jr. (SG) Out - Foot.

Miami Heat:  P. Larsson (SG) Day To Day - Ankle. T. Herro (SG) Day To Day - Toe.

“Obviously frustrated with the performance and rightfully so, but he needs to stay out on the floor and root for his team.” - Chris Finch on Anthony Edwards after his team’s loss against the Hawks in their game on Wednesday.

“Definitely a conversation. But more so, our mentality going into the third. We feel like we have a drop off to start the third. Our coach is a maniac, and he’s going to emphasize it and pick at it until we get it right.” - Bam Adebayo after their win against the Pistons in their game on Thursday.

PG Donte DiVincenzo

SG Anthony Edwards

SF Jaden McDaniels

PF Julius Randle

C Rudy Gobert

PG Davion Mitchell

SG Pelle Larsson

SF Norman Powell

PF Andrew Wiggins

C Bam Adebayo 

PPG: Anthony Edwards (29.1)

APG: Julius Randle (5.8)

Reb/G: Rudy Gobert (11)

PPG: Norman Powell (24.2)

APG: Davion Mitchell (7.5)

Reb/G: Kel'el Ware (10.6)

Coaches:

Minnesota Timberwolves: Chris Finch (6th season)

Miami Heat: Erik Spoelstra (18th season)