Portland Trail Blazers vs Minnesota Timberwolves prediction

Recent results

• Portland Trail Blazers: 3 wins from the last 5, average margin +3.0 points (W 120–107 @ SAC, W 118–108 v OKC, W 123–103 v OKC, L 103–125 v SA, L 118–124 @ LAL).
• Minnesota Timberwolves: 4 wins from the last 5, average margin +11.8 points (L 106–117 v CHI, W 133–94 v DAL, W 115–100 v UTAH, W 115–109 @ NO, W 117–107 @ HOU).

This is the first meeting between these teams this season. Results are taken from final scores, most recent first.

Preview

Minnesota Timberwolves are our pick at home against the Portland Trail Blazers. The model gives them a 62% chance of winning, which makes this game a lean (55 to 65%).

Portland Trail Blazers rate slightly stronger on the rosters we expect (93.1 to 91.9 on our team-strength rating), but home court push the pick to Minnesota Timberwolves.

Recent form: Portland Trail Blazers have been winning by 5.5 points a game, while Minnesota Timberwolves have been winning by 6.9 points a game.

Injuries: Portland Trail Blazers will be without Ja Morant (27 min a game) and Shaedon Sharpe (25 min a game) and Minnesota Timberwolves will be without Anthony Edwards (41 min a game), Donte DiVincenzo (27 min a game) and Jaylen Clark (17 min a game). Players listed as unsure are counted by how likely they are to play.

Season so far: Portland Trail Blazers are 9–3 and Minnesota Timberwolves are 9–4.

What could change the pick: late injury news. We re-check every 15 minutes until game time, then the pick is frozen and stays on our public record, win or lose.