Boston Celtics vs Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

At 7:30 ET, the Celtics (-171) will take on the Timberwolves (+143) in a non-conference matchup. The over/under line is currently set at 219.5.

Currently, the Celtics are favored by 4 points, and they are 24-9 on the season. They are 2nd in the Eastern Conference and 1st in the Atlantic Division. As for the Timberwolves, they are 17-15 and 8th in the Western Conference. They are 3rd in the Northwest Division.

BOSTON CELTICS VS MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES BETTING PICK

The Pick: Boston Celtics -4

This game will be played at Target Center at 7:30 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.

WHY BET THE BOSTON CELTICS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 141-121 in favor of the Celtics.
• Our projections have Jayson Tatum finishing with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
• From the field, we have the Celtics finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.7% and knocking down 20 threes.

Does Boston Have What it Takes to Win as Road Favorites?

Boston improved to 24-9 on the season with a dominant 125-71 win over the Raptors on Tuesday. The Celtics, favored by 17 points, easily covered the spread at home. The game’s total of 196 points fell well short of the 232-point O/U line.

Boston’s defense set the tone early, holding Toronto to just 12 points in the 1st quarter. After a closer 2nd quarter, the Celtics went on a 13-0 run, extending their lead from 66-48 to 79-48. They then outscored the Raptors 45-18 in the 3rd quarter and 35-18 in the 4th.

The Celtics shot 54% from the field and hit 22 three-pointers at a 51.2% clip in their win over the Raptors. Jayson Tatum led the way with 23 points, 18 of which came in the 3rd quarter.

Payton Pritchard added 19 points, knocking down 5 threes, while Derrick White contributed 16 points, including 10 in the opening quarter.

The Celtics put on a defensive clinic against the Raptors, allowing just 71 points in their win on Tuesday. Boston held Toronto to 12 points in the 1st quarter and limited them to under 20 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Boston’s defense was especially strong from beyond the arc, where they held the Raptors to 10 made threes on 25% shooting. The Celtics also recorded 14 steals and 7 blocks in the game.

Can Minnesota Lock in a Home Win?

The Timberwolves fell to 17-15 on the season after a 113-105 road loss to the Thunder on Tuesday, December 31st. Minnesota entered the game as +7 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 218, just over the pre-game line of 216.5.

After leading 52-46 at halftime, the Timberwolves allowed a 13-0 run and were outscored 43-23 in the 3rd quarter. They entered the 4th quarter down 89-75 and outscored the Thunder 30-24 in the final period, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

In their 113-105 loss to the Thunder, the Timberwolves shot 49.4% from the field, with a 39.5% success rate from three, connecting on 15 long-range shots. Anthony Edwards led the way with 20 points, hitting 4 threes at a 57.1% clip, while Naz Reid added 19 points, and Mike Conley contributed 16 points, also making 4 threes at 57.1%.

Edwards scored 13 of his 20 points in the 2nd quarter, while Reid added 11 points in the 4th. Conley chipped in 9 points in the 3rd, and Julius Randle scored 7 of his 11 points in the opening quarter.

Defensively, the Timberwolves had a solid 1st and 2nd quarter, giving up just 21 and 25 points, respectively. However, they struggled in the 3rd, allowing 43 points, which proved costly. They tightened up in the 4th, conceding only 24 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.

Minnesota did a good job limiting the Thunder’s three-point shooting, allowing just 12 threes on 33% shooting. They sent Oklahoma City to the line 23 times, where the Thunder hit 17 free throws. The Timberwolves gave up 9 offensive rebounds while recording 3 steals and 7 blocks.