The struggling Minnesota Timberwolves square off against NBA powerhouse Brooklyn on Monday, March 29.
We have picks and predictions for the West vs East matchup between two teams heading in completely different directions.
There is a sizable gap in the spread betting markets at our online sportsbook, so the question is whether Minnesota can stay within touching distance of Nets.
Nets Stronger With Aldridge Addition
As if the Brooklyn Nets needed to get better, they go and add LaMarcus Aldridge. The center adds another dynamic to this team and his experience will be invaluable.
In a team that already features James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the signing of Aldridge is almost laughable. Brooklyn’s management has gone on the offensive this season and it’s looming as a do-or-die effort.
The Nets are 8-2 from their last 10 games, which is an impressive record given Kevin Durant has been on the sidelines. His return is still a few weeks away, but the Nets won’t be rushing him back to the court.
Brooklyn returns home after a three-game road trip where it went 2-1. The only loss came to the Utah Jazz, but its best players never stepped on the court, so disregard that performance.
TTT In Store For Timberwolves
What’s TTT you ask? Time To Tank, which is exactly what the Minnesota Timberwolves should consider right about now.
There isn’t much to salvage from an 11-35 record and although we hope they don’t tank, getting future draft picks is what Minnesota has been playing for over the last few years.
Karl Anthony-Towns is a quality player but he hasn’t been able to improve this team. The attitude in Minnesota needs to change before they’re considered on the same level as Brooklyn.
Malik Beasley is still out due to suspension, so the news doesn’t get better for the visitors on Monday. His 20.3 points per game will be sorely missed against the most explosive offensive team in the NBA.
As it stands, Minnesota is 23½ games back of Utah in the Northwest. That’s an insurmountable difference and it’s 8½ games back of the next best team.
Harden Sizzles Against Detroit
Kyrie Irving wasn’t needed when Brooklyn took on Detroit as James Harden scored 44 points.
The former Houston Rocket was the only noted scorer in the team and it showed. He went 14-30 from the field and 4-11 from behind the three-point line. Harden also scored 12 free throws, so it was a complete performance.
James Harden is on pace to score on 25 PPG and assist on 25 PPG in the same season.
That would be the 2nd time in his career he has done this.
No other player in NBA history has ever done this once. pic.twitter.com/QArM4GSgqT
ESPN Stats Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 27, 2021
The next best scorer was Blake Griffin off the bench, who was productive with 17 points in only 20 minutes. If Griffin can produce those numbers on a nightly basis, his contract will be worth its weight in gold.
Irving is expected to be back against Minnesota, which doesn’t bode well for the Timberwolves. That is reflected with the NBA lines, which has the Nets as firm favorites.
Game Pick
Online betting markets have the Brooklyn Nets at significantly low odds to win this game.
Bettors will find it hard to get value from the moneyline market, but most of the money will be placed on the spread.
The current line is 11 in favor of the Nets, so Minnesota will need to play well to keep this game within 12 points. We don’t think Minnesota, which has lost four of its last games, is playing well enough to keep it close.
Bettors should take Brooklyn to cover the spread, in what should be a comfortable victory for the home side.
