by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Mar 31, 2023
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Where to watch: ROOT-NW, BSN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Check back later for odds
BetMGM: Check back later for odds
Caesars: Check back later for odds
Season record
Blazers: 32-44
Timberwolves: 39-38
The All-Star break is over in the NBA and it's time to get on the horse and finish up the final home stretch of the season. Big trades, uncertainty, and absolute hilarity across the board all gearing up for the final home stretch of this season. You know who is also gearing up for the home stretch? Our champion handicappers at bigal.com who are ready to win their way all the way to the playoffs. There's a lot going on that we can't wait for in these final 23-25 games and you're going to need every bit of hardcore analysis you can get from this group. Just in the last 30 days we've had some big winners. Doc's Sports has posted a 16-6-0 record in the last month (+$9,200). AAA Sports has killed it at 17-8-0, and then Al McMordie with a dominant 20-11-1 mark over the last 30 days. Everything you need to know and more about what's going on this league and sports in general will be a fun finish to the end. All you have to do is go to bigal.com and find our Best Bets page and put forth something that only you think is good. Here's a hint: Go to the bigal.com website and happy betting.
Blazers - Wolves preview, prediction and analysis
As the Portland Trail Blazers get set to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 2, 2023, fans are anticipating an exciting matchup between two Western Conference teams. Both teams are looking to make a push for the playoffs and a win in this game could go a long way in helping them achieve that goal.
Team Form
This has been a disappointing season to say the least for the Blazers, who shut down star Damian Lillard for the rest of the season. Along with Anfernee Simons also dealing with an injury that's kept him out of the lineup, the Blazers are just not worth watching at the moment anymore.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have struggled recently, losing five of their last six games. But with Karl-Anthony Towns back in the fold and looking like his old self at the right time, it's a good time as any for the Wolves to go through a playoff push with their stars.
Key Players
The Portland Trail Blazers will be relying heavily on their All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, who is averaging 25.9 points and 7.9 assists per game this season. Lillard is one of the most explosive scorers in the league and can take over a game at any moment.
For the Minnesota Timberwolves, their success will largely depend on the play of their young stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards. Towns is one of the best big men in the league, averaging 23.3 points and 10.6 rebounds per game this season. Edwards, a first-time All-Star is averaging close to 30 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game this season. If these two players can play at a high level, the Timberwolves will have a good chance of coming away with the win.
Matchup Analysis
The matchup between the Trail Blazers and Timberwolves promises to be an intriguing one. Both teams have talented scorers and will be looking to put up big numbers on offense. The Blazers have been particularly strong on offense this season, averaging 114.7 points per game, the fifth-best mark in the league. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, have struggled defensively at times this season, allowing 114.2 points per game, the 25th best mark in the league.
However, the Timberwolves have the advantage in the rebounding department, averaging 46.2 rebounds per game, the fifth-best mark in the league. Towns is one of the best rebounders in the league and is averaging 10.6 rebounds per game this season. The Blazers, on the other hand, have struggled on the glass this season, averaging just 42.2 rebounds per game, the 29th best mark in the league. If the Timberwolves can control the boards and limit the Blazers' second-chance opportunities, they will have a good chance of coming away with the win.
On the defensive end of the court, the Blazers have been solid this season, allowing 112.2 points per game, the 17th best mark in the league.
Prediction
The Blazers are just too banged up and the Wolves are playing for something. Wolves 116, Blazers 102
Projected starting lineup
Blazers:
PG: Skylar Mays
SG: Shaedon Sharpe
SF: Matisse Thybulle
PF: Nassir Little
C: Drew Eubanks
Timberwolves:
PG: Mike Conley
SG: Anthony Edwards
SF: Jaden McDaniels
PF: Karl-Anthony Towns
C: Rudy Gobert
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
