It’s an interconference battle on the hardwood as a pair of teams start their 2023-24 campaign north of the border. The Minnesota Timberwolves are on the road as they make the trip to face the Toronto Raptors Wednesday night. Minnesota finished last season 42-40 and earned the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoff picture. They were eliminated in five games in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs by the Nuggets. Toronto ended the 2022-23 season with a 41-41 record and missed the postseason. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Raptors own a 37-17 advantage. Last season, the teams split two meetings with the Raptors earning a 122-107 home win in the most recent matchup on March 18, 2023.
I've hit more than 40 parlays in the last few months, totaling over $46,564 in that span. That includes 10 wins since August 28 totaling $12,760! Looking for my Premium Picks? Don't miss out on another big payday! Click here to get a month of my parlays for only $50 (normally $100)!
Minnesota finished 42-40 and ended up in the postseason last season as they earned the eighth seed in the Western Conference standings. Health was a major issue as Karl-Anthony Towns missed 53 games to lead the list of the walking wounded. Minnesota has made some moves in the offseason as Nathan Knight (free agency, Celtics) and Matt Ryan (waivers, Pelicans) found new teams. Meanwhile, Austin Rivers and Jaylen Nowell remain unsigned after being non-tendered by the Timberwolves. Taurean Prince inked a deal with the Lakers in the offseason, ending his tenure with the team.
The Timberwolves re-signed several key pieces from last season’s team to keep most of their core group together. Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid each signed contract extensions. Nickeil Alexander-Walker signed a new deal while Luka Garza was tendered a qualifying offer. Troy Brown Jr. (Lakers), Daishen Nix (Rock ets) and Shake Milton (76ers) were brought in via free agency) while Leonard Miller (33rd overall pick, G League Ignite) and Jaylen Clark (53rd overall pick, UCLA) were picked up via the NBA Draft.
Last year, Minnesota was 13th in the league in scoring offense with 115.8 points per game. The Timberwolves stood 23rd in rebounding by pulling down 41.9 boards a contest while they were 8th in assists by handing out 26.2 dimes a contest. Minnesota was below average on the defensive end of the floor as they were 18th in scoring defense by allowing 115.8 points per game. Anthony Edwards led the team in scoring as he averaged 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists per contest. Karl-Anthony Towns (20.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists), Mike Conley (11.9 points, 6.7 assists), Rudy Gobert (13.4 points, 11.6 rebounds) and Jaden McDaniels (12.1 points) comprise the rest of the starting five for Minnesot a. Naz Reid (11.5 points, 4.9 rebounds), Nickeil Alexander Walker, Jordan McLaughlin, Shake Milton, Kyle Anderson, Troy Brown Jr., Leonard Miller, Wendell Moore Jr. and Luka Garza are part of the rotation. The Timberwolves were 3rd in the league in field goal percentage as they hit 49% from the floor as a team. Minnesota was 14th by splashing 12.2 three-pointers a night while the team was 13th in three-point shooting by hitting 36.5% from beyond the arc.
McDaniels (calf) is questionable for this contest while Towns (knee) is probable. Clark (Achilles) is expected to be out until mid-February after suffering an injury while still at UCLA. Watch for updates on McDaniels’ status leading to tip-off.