Last Updated on March 1, 2018 11:15 pm by Anthony Rome
One NBA Total to Bet Thursday
There’s only four games on the NBA slate for Thursday night and if you’re looking at the betting totals, there’s one over/under that provides plenty of value.
CURRENT ODDS
According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager, the Trail Blazers are 5-point home favorites to beat the Timberwolves while the total currently sits at 217.5 points.
Bet This Matchup & Other NBA Games
LINE MOVEMENT
Both the side and total have moved off the original numbers posted by oddsmakers. Portland opened as a 6-point home favorite before the line was bet down in favor of Minnesota, while the over/under went from 218.5 down to 217.5.
PUBLIC BETTING
As of this writing, 56% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Trail Blazers to cover the point spread. Meanwhile, 86% of the betting tickets are on the over.
KEY INJURY TO WATCH
The only injury impacting either team is Jimmy Butler, who is out with a knee injury for the Timberwolves.
BETTING STRATEGY
Without Butler, the Timberwolves scored 122 points against Chicago and 118 in Sacramento. They’re going to face a much stiffer test tonight, however, as the Trail Blazers rank in the top-10 defensively. Portland does an excellent job protecting the rim and without Butler, I see Minnesota struggling offensively for the first time since his absence. The under is 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings between these two teams in Portland.
OUR PREDICTION: TIMBERWOLVES/TRAIL BLAZERS UNDER 217.5