Minnesota Timberwolves vs Utah Jazz Betting Pick & Prediction 2/28/25
At 9:30 ET, the Minnesota Timberwolves (-150) will take on the Utah Jazz (+126) in a Northwest Division matchup. The Timberwolves are favored by 3 points, and the over/under line is set at 225.5 points.
Minnesota is currently 8th in the Western Conference with a record of 32-28, while Utah is 15th in the West at 14-44. The Jazz have lost two straight games and are 5th in the Northwest Division.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS UTAH JAZZ BETTING PICK
The Pick: Utah Jazz +3
This game will be played at Delta Center at 9:30 ET on Friday, February 28th.
WHY BET THE UTAH JAZZ:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 147-97 in favor of the Jazz.
- Our projections have Lauri Markkanen finishing with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
- From the field, we have the Jazz finishing with a field goal percentage of 45.6% and knocking down 17 threes.
Will the Timberwolves Find a Way to Win on the Road?
The Timberwolves fell to 32-28 on the season after a 111-102 road loss to the Lakers on Thursday. Minnesota entered the game as +6 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The combined score of 213 points was well below the 228.5-point total line.
Minnesota’s slow start saw them down 33-17 after the 1st quarter. They responded with a strong 2nd quarter, outscoring the Lakers 30-25, but an 11-0 run by the Lakers, which extended the score from 92-80 to 103-80, put the game out of reach.
In their 111-102 loss to the Lakers, the Timberwolves shot 41.7% from the field and hit just 29.3% from three-point range, making 12 threes overall. Terrence Shannon Jr. led the way with 25 points, shooting 60% from the floor, while Anthony Edwards added 18 points, connecting on 2 threes at 33.3% efficiency.
Shannon scored 12 of his points in the 4th quarter, and Jaden McDaniels added 8 of his 15 points in the final period. Nickeil Alexander-Walker also contributed 8 points in the 3rd quarter, finishing with 14 points in the game.
Despite a solid defensive effort, the Timberwolves couldn’t overcome the Lakers, allowing 111 points. Minnesota gave up 33 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd, allowing just 25 points. They continued to play well in the 3rd and 4th quarters, giving up 26 and 27 points, respectively.
The Timberwolves held the Lakers to 41% shooting, including just 26% from three-point range, with Los Angeles making only 11 threes. However, Minnesota sent the Lakers to the line 46 times, where they converted 32 free throws. Defensively, the Timberwolves recorded 9 steals and 3 blocks.
Are the Jazz Ready for a Home Win?
Utah’s season continued its rough trajectory with a 118-101 loss to the Kings on Wednesday, dropping their record to 14-44. The Jazz, who were +9.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread at home. The total points of 219 fell well short of the 236.5 O/U line.
After a 22-22 tie in the 1st quarter, the Kings pulled away, outscoring the Jazz 33-24 in the 2nd quarter. Utah trailed 83-69 going into the 4th, and while they scored 32 points in the final period, Sacramento’s 35 points sealed the game.
In the Jazz’s 118-101 loss to the Kings, Walker Kessler was perfect from the field, leading Utah with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists. Kessler scored 9 points in the 4th quarter, while Kenyon Martin Jr. added 7 of his 16 points in the final period.
The Jazz hit 16 threes at a 36.4% rate, with an overall shooting percentage of 45.2%. Brice Sensabaugh contributed 12 points, 7 of which came in the 3rd quarter.
The Jazz had a strong defensive showing in the 1st quarter, holding the Kings to 22 points, but they struggled in the 2nd and 4th quarters, giving up 33 and 35 points, respectively, in a 118-101 loss. Overall, Utah allowed Sacramento to shoot 52% from the field.
From beyond the arc, the Kings hit 15 threes at a 41% clip. The Jazz sent Sacramento to the line just 12 times, where they made 11 free throws. Utah finished with 27 defensive rebounds, allowing 7 offensive boards, and recorded 9 steals.