Timberwolves vs. Hornets Prediction
A pair of scuffling teams will meet in Charlotte on Thursday night when the Hornets host the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7:00 p.m. ET. Given the issues both teams have had covering the spread, is there value in the total for bettors?
Game Snapshot
581 Minnesota Timberwolves at 582 Charlotte Hornets
7:00 p.m. ET, Thursday, March 21, 2019
Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Our NBA Live Odds page pulls spreads and totals from multiple different online sportsbooks so you can compare betting odds to ensure you’re getting the best line.
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook BetNow.eu, the Hornets are 3.5-point favorites to beat the Timberwolves. The total, meanwhile, sits at 222 points and as of this writing, 53% of the public betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Timberwolves to cover the point spread.
Minnesota Timberwolves Fantasy Spin
Taj Gibson (calf) is questionable to play on Thursday against the Hornets. He suffered the injury on Tuesday and did not return. The Wolves are expected to focus more on player development going forward, so there should be more Keita Bates-Diop in the rotation. Dario Saric would also get more playing time sans Taj.
Charlotte Hornets Fantasy Spin
Kemba Walker struggled with foul trouble vs. the 76ers on Tuesday, playing just 28 minutes with 21 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal and two triples. After three quick fouls in the first quarter, Kemba sat out the final 18 minutes of the first half. He quickly made up for lost time though and delivered a solid fantasy line, hitting 8-of-18 shots and 3-of-4 free throws without any turnovers. This was Charlotte’s second straight loss, pushing them 3.0 games behind the No. 8 seed (Miami). Expect monster production from Kemba as he tries to will his way into the playoffs with just 12 games left.
NBA Betting Trends
Minnesota
The Timberwolves are 0-4 against the spread in their last four games overall and are 0-7 against the number in their last seven road games.
Charlotte
The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in seven of their previous eight games overall and are 0-6-1 against the number in their last seven home games.
Prediction
With both teams struggling to cover the spread, the total offers more value. The over is 4-1 in the previous five meetings between these two teams and cashed in seven of the Hornets’ last 10 home games. The over is also 9-3 in the Timberwolves’ last 12 road games and hit in 25 in Minnesota’s last 34 games versus Eastern Conference foes.
Thursday NBA Prediction: Timberwolves/Hornets over 222