NBA Predictions: Are Trail Blazers smart home play vs. Timberwolves? 3/1/18

Timberwolves vs. Trail Blazers Pick

Will the host Portland Trail Blazers get the victory and cover the spread tonight when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves at 10:30PM ET?

CURRENT ODDS

According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Blazers are a 5.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 217.5 points.

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LINE MOVEMENT

Portland opened as a 6-point favorite before the line dropped, while the total has also come down from 218.5. The spread can be found at 5 or 5.5 depending where you look, while the total is either at 217.5 or 218.

PUBLIC BETTING

As of Wednesday afternoon, 56 percent of public bets are coming in on the Trail Blazers. Online wager info also shows that 70 percent of bets are siding with the over.

INJURY TO WATCH

The Timberwolves only have one injury on their report, but it is a major one as Jimmy Butler is out until early April after surgery to repair his meniscus. For the Trail Blazers, Evan Turner is dealing with a toe injury but is probable to play tonight.

BETTING STRATEGY

Minnesota won the first two meetings this season, but Portland responded with a 123-114 home victory the last time the two squads met on Jan. 24. Portland is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings, while the over-under has gone 5-5. The T-Wolves have won both of their games since the Butler injury, but the competition has been weak at home against the Bulls and on the road at the Kings. I'm going to say they will be unable to deal with the buzzsaw of a surging Trail Blazers team that has won four in a row behind outstanding play from point guard Damian Lillard. The trends point toward Portland and I'm going with the hosts.

 

NBA DAILY PREDICTION: PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS -5.5