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2022-23 NBA Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves

It was the trade that shook up the NBA: the Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz to instantly become contenders in the West. The NBA odds have shortened on the Wolves considerably and you can see their outright lines are the shortest since Kevin Garnett’s MVP season nearly 20 years ago.

Gobert, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, will significantly improve Minnesota’s offense. This team was already a budding two-way team in 2021-22 but now Gobert gives the team that much-needed anchor on defense.

Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves brings the ball up the court
Ethan Miller / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP

Minnesota finished first in the NBA in points scored last season so it’s curious to see how having a two-center lineup will look. In any case, Karl-Anthony Towns can focus primarily on scoring, which potentially makes the team even deadlier on offense.

Let’s check the latest NBA picks, stats, injury reports, and NBA predictions. We’ve plenty of NBA expert picks for you to consider.

Minnesota Timberwolves Odds

  • To win NBA Championship: +3000
  • To win Western Conference: +1600
  • To win Northwest Division: +150
  • To make playoffs: Yes -290/ No +230

Player to Watch

In seven seasons in the NBA, Towns has developed a mixed reaction among fans. On one hand, he’s lauded as one of the most versatile big men to play the game. He consistently posts eye-popping stats. In his career, he’s averaged 23.2 points, 11.3 boards, and 1.4 blocks with a 527/397/833 shooting line.

On the other hand, Towns is criticized as being “soft” and lacking the defensive intensity teams required of their franchise center. It was often cited as one of the reasons why Minnesota consistently finished as a losing team prior to last season.

But with Gobert now with the team, Towns does not need to worry so much about being “that guy” on defense. Loosening the pressure on him on defense can only help him be more comfortable. And who knows? It may be worth a bet online for “KAT” to win the MVP at 33-1.

Breakout Player

It may be a stretch, but Wolves fans would like to view Towns and Edwards as their own version of “Shaq and Kobe.” Edwards enters his third year as a pro and this is typically when young stars become superstars. Ja Morant won the Most Improved Player Award last season so it’s logical to see Edwards as the favorite to win it this season (+1000).

Edwards averaged 21.3 points last season, which is two points more than his rookie season. But if you consider that he improved his shooting to .527 effective field goal percentage (eFG%) from .488. However, he shot just .365 with his jumpers.

There is still plenty of room for improvement for the 21-year-old. It’s not crazy to expect him to score close to 25-26 points. He’ll remain a focal point for the Wolves, who will be a hot team on the online sportsbook this season.

  • Breakout Watch: G Anthony Edwards

Timberwolves Outlook

The Wolves want to believe they have Shaq and Kobe in Towns and Edwards or the Twin Towers in Towns and Gobert. The common denominator? The 26-year-old will be the main reason Minnesota makes a deep playoff run or misses the playoffs. Towns will do it for the Wolves on offense while the team hopes Gobert is the catalyst on defense.

The bookmakers have given the Wolves over a 71% chance of making the playoffs. The team won 46 games last season and is expected to win around 48½ with the public already betting on the ‘over’.

Minnesota has not made consecutive playoff appearances since the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. Edwards was only three-years-old at that time. With Utah tanking and several Western stars heading East, Minnesota should, at least, be a playoff contender.

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