The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking unstoppable at the moment and they have a golden opportunity to extend their unbeaten run this Friday against a lowly Portland Trail Blazers. Then again, the Blazers may have a surprise for the Timberwolves when the two teams meet for the second time in three days.

Catch this game live on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 11 AM, Manila time

Away: Minnesota Timberwolves (38-16/19-11 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

• Mike Conley
• Anthony Edwards (Questionable)
• Jaden McDaniels
• Karl-Anthony Towns
• Rudy Gobert

The Timberwolves continue to prove that they’re contenders and not pretenders, as they remain atop the table in the Western Conference. They are also on a three-game win streak, a stretch that saw them two quality teams and one that’s headed nowhere but to the lottery. That one team was Portland, which Minnesota just smothered in a 121-109 victory at Moda Center last Wednesday.

 Before that, the Timberwolves destroyed the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Clippers by a combined margin of 45 points.  It projects to be another smooth ride this Friday for the Timberwolves against the same Blazers squad at the same place. Speaking of which, the Timberwolves are 3-1 straight up and 3-1 against the spread in their last four meetings with the Blazers. They are also 21-15-2 ATS in games after one day of rest so far in the 2023-24 NBA season.

Home: Portland Trail Blazers (15-38/9-16 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

• Scoot Henderson (Questionable)
• Anfernee Simons
• Jerami Grant
• Jabari Walker
• Deandre Ayton

The Blazers are looking to prevent themselves from suffering their third six-game losing skid of the season. Their fans already know that this season isn’t going to be one to remember for the good things, so they don’t have to see their team get pummeled anew. Wins are tough to come by for the Blazers and it’s not easy to make a case for them winning against a contender with a straight face. 

However, it’s not a stretch to think that they have enough to cover the spread this time around against the Timberwolves. For one, they are 6-4 against the spread in their last 10 home games. In addition, Portland has covered the spread in seven of its last 10 games at Moda Center versus the Timberwolves. Also watch out for Deandre Ayton potentially living up to his pre-draft hype this Friday after racking up a double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds in the most recent meeting with Minnesota.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Blazers (+8.5) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (215.5) hits the Under.