Two teams on opposite sides of the spectrum meet, as the Minnesota Timberwolves are on a skid, while the Boston Celtics are gaining steam.

Catch the game tomorrow, November 27th, at 8:30 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Boston Celtics (10-8, 6-4 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Derrick White
  • Payton Pritchard
  • Josh Minott
  • Jaylen Brown
  • Neemas Queta

The Celtics head into Minnesota riding some good momentum, fresh off snapping Detroit’s 13-game winning streak. They’ve now won five of their last six, sporting an impressive +9.5 net rating in that stretch. Things aren’t perfect, but Boston has clearly found its rhythm coming into this matchup.

As usual, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard remain the team’s most reliable offensive engines. Brown continues to shoulder the scoring load, Pritchard brings his trademark spark, and White provides steady all-around play, though his availability is up in the air, as he’s currently a game-time decision. Anfernee Simons continues his roller-coaster of a season – he’ll disappear one night and suddenly catch fire the next, but when he’s on, defenses feel it.

Boston is still living and dying by the three, but what’s new is their pace, or lack of it. They now play at the slowest pace in the league, which is a wild shift from their usual style. Whether that becomes a sustainable identity or a temporary quirk is something worth keeping an eye on, especially against a Wolves team that thrives on energy and chaos.

HOME: Minnesota Timberwolves (10-8, 5-5 ROAD)

Projected starting five:

  • Donte DiVincenzo
  • Anthony Edwards
  • Jaden McDaniels
  • Julius Randle
  • Rudy Gobert

The Timberwolves are in a tough spot right now. They’ve dropped three straight games, all thanks to painful collapses in the 4th Quarter. They’re competing, they’re staying in games, and then the closing minutes hit… and everything just slips away. That’s the pattern they badly need to break, especially against a disciplined Celtics squad.

The good news is the talent is still very much there. Anthony Edwards remains an All-NBA force who can take over any game at will. Julius Randle gives them an additional scoring punch as a stretch forward, while Rudy Gobert continues to anchor the interior even though some age-related slippage is starting to show. Donte DiVincenzo brings floor spacing, and Jaden McDaniels remains one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.

On paper, Minnesota actually matches up pretty interestingly with Boston – they’ve got size, physicality, and multiple scoring threats. The challenge is putting all of that together in the right moments. If they can close out a game for once, they’ve got a real shot – if the late-game issues pop up again, the Celtics won’t hesitate to punish them.

PICKS

Spread: Celtics (+7)
Over/Under:  Over (228)