The Philadelphia 76ers will look to stymie a red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves this Wednesday in a showdown in the Twin Cities. Will the Sixers also avenge their loss earlier this season to Minnesota? Or, will the Timberwolves batter Philly one more time?

Catch this game live on Wednesday, March 8, at 8:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Philadelphia 76ers (42-22/18-12 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• PG: James Harden
• SG: Tyrese Maxey
• SF: Tobias Harris (questionable)
• PF: PJ Tucker— (questionable)
• C: Joel Embiid

The Sixers are looking scarier of late. They sent a strong message across the league with a 133-130 beatdown of the Milwaukee Bucks last Sunday before thwarting the Indiana Pacers Tuesday, 147-143, to finish a four-game road trip with a 4-1 straight-up record and a 2-2 ATS slate. Their recent success was to be expected of a team when its two superstars are playing like, well, superstars. 

Over the last two games, Joel Embiid put up 33.0 points on 55.8 FG%, while James Harden has manufactured 32.5 points on 50 FG%, 11.5 assists, and 6.5 rebounds in the same span. Harden and Tyrese Maxey was not around when the Sixers lost to the Timberwolves, 112-109,  at home last November, but will be there on the floor in Minnesota this Wednesday. That’s a big plus for the Sixers, whose defense can be the perfect antidote to the Timberwolves’ surging offense. Philly is fourth in the NBA this season with just 111.2 points allowed per game and eighth in defensive turnover rate (13.2%). 

The Sixers are 13-3 ATS in the last 16 meetings.

Home: Minnesota Timberwolves (34-32/20-14 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• PG: Mike Conley
• SG: Anthony Edwards
• SF: Jaden McDaniels
• PF: Kyle Anderson
• C: Rudy Gobert

The Timberwolves had fun on their recent West Coast trip, as they collected three wins and a loss during that journey. After opening that stretch with a 109-104 loss to the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota ripped its next three opponents, taking down the Los Angeles Clippers (108-101), the Los Angeles Lakers (110-102), and the Sacrament Kings (138-134) to go above .500 again. Already a top 10 team in terms of scoring this season with 115.6 points per game, the Timberwolves have ramped it up of late on that end of the floor, as they’ve generated an average of 118.7 points on 51.4 FG% and 43.4 3FG% during their ongoing win streak. 

With so much momentum plus the fact that they’re returning home for this Wednesday’s game, it’s not difficult to see Minnesota keep it going, even against an elite foe in the form of the Sixers. The Timberwolves just seem to be clicking offensively as a team and not just because of one player heating up, with even guys like Naz Reid, Mike Conley, and Kyle Anderson each averaging at least 12 points on 61 eFG% or better in the last three games. The Timberwolves have also gone 3-0 ATS in those contests.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Sixers (-1.5) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (236.5) his the Under.