Washington Wizards vs Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Pick & Prediction 2/1/25
At 8:00 ET, the Timberwolves (-1759) will host the Wizards (+945) in a non-conference matchup. Minnesota (-17.5) is currently on a five-game win streak and sits 7th in the Western Conference, while Washington (6-41) has lost 16 straight and is 15th in the East.
This game will be played at the Target Center in Minneapolis and can be seen on MNMT. The over/under line for this game is 224 points.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS VS MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES BETTING PICK
The Pick: Washington Wizards +17.5
This game will be played at Target Center at 8:00 ET on Saturday, February 1st.
WHY BET THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 121-93 in favor of the Wizards.
- Our projections have Jordan Poole finishing with 20 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists.
- From the field, we have the Wizards finishing with a field goal percentage of 43.6% and knocking down 13 threes.
Will the Wizards Find a Way to Win on the Road?
The Wizards dropped to 6-41 on the season after a 134-96 home loss to the Lakers on Thursday. Washington, who entered as +8.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The combined score of 230 points went over the pre-game total of 224.
Washington fell behind early, trailing 42-29 after the 1st quarter. The Lakers went on a 10-0 run, extending their lead from 69-42 to 69-52. The Wizards were outscored 36-16 in the 2nd quarter and entered the 4th quarter down 105-70.
In their 134-96 loss to the Lakers, the Wizards struggled offensively, shooting just 31.9% from the field and 22.7% from beyond the arc, hitting only 10 threes. Jordan Poole led the team with 19 points, shooting 33.3% overall and 30% from three, while Kyle Kuzma added 13 points on 21.4% shooting, including 25% from deep.
Corey Kispert contributed 11 points, hitting 57.1% of his shots. Poole scored 9 of his points in the 1st quarter, adding 5 more in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Kuzma also had 7 points in the opening period, with 4 more in the 3rd, while Kispert scored 7 of his 11 points in the 3rd quarter.
The Wizards struggled defensively against the Lakers, giving up 134 points on Thursday. Washington allowed 42 points in the 1st quarter and 36 in the 2nd, putting them in a deep hole early. They gave up 27 points in the 3rd and 29 in the 4th.
Overall, the Lakers shot 54% from the field, including 46% from three-point range, where they hit 15 threes. The Wizards also sent the Lakers to the line 22 times, where they made 21 free throws. Washington finished with 26 defensive rebounds, allowing 9 offensive boards, and recorded 4 steals and 6 blocks.
Can Minnesota Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?
With a 138-113 win over the Jazz on Thursday, the Timberwolves improved to 27-21 this season. Minnesota, favored by 5.5 points, covered the spread, and the game’s total of 251 points exceeded the 224.5-point O/U line.
After trailing 31-27 in the 1st quarter, the Timberwolves took control with an 11-0 run, moving the score from 40-38 to 49-40. They dominated the 3rd quarter, outscoring Utah 44-22, and entered the 4th with a 101-75 lead.
The Timberwolves put on an offensive clinic in their win over the Jazz, shooting 59.8% from the field and knocking down 21 threes at a 55.3% clip. Anthony Edwards led the way with 36 points, 11 assists, and 6 made threes, shooting 66.7% from both the field and beyond the arc.
Rob Dillingham added 19 points and 8 assists, hitting 3 threes at 60% shooting. Rudy Gobert contributed 16 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 75% from the field. Luka Garza also chipped in 16 points, with 7 coming in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters.
Despite a rough 4th quarter where they gave up 38 points, the Timberwolves’ defense held strong in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, allowing just 22 points in each. Overall, they allowed 113 points on 50% shooting from the field in their win over the Jazz.
Minnesota sent Utah to the line 25 times, where they made 21 free throws. The Timberwolves also gave up 14 threes on 41% shooting. Defensively, they grabbed 30 rebounds, allowing just 3 offensive boards, and recorded 5 steals and 9 blocks.