I was incorrect on my last Raptors free pick as the Rockets (-1.5) fell to the Raptors in Toronto 99-96 on Monday. I am now 30-30 in Raptors free picks. Tonight the 44-30 Toronto Raptors travel to Minnesota to take on the 16-58 Timberwolves.
(44-30) Toronto Raptors @ (16-58) Minnesota Timberwolves
Probable starting line-ups:
Toronto – PG – Greivis Vasquez SG – DeMar DeRozan C – Jonas Valanciunas SF – Terrence Ross PF – Amir Johnson
Minnesota – PG – Zach LaVine SG – Lorenzo Brown C – Justin Hamilton SF – Andrew Wiggins PF – Adreian Paye
Stats Leaders:
Toronto – PPG – DeMar DeRozan 19.5 RPG – Jonas Valanciunas 8.7 APG – Kyle Lowry 6.9
Minnesota – PPG – Andrew Wiggins 16.2 RPG – Gorgui Dieng 8.3 APG – Zach LaVine 3.2
Team Scoring: (with league ranking in parentheses)
Toronto – PF – 104.1 (4th) PA – 101.2 (22nd)
Minnesota – PF – 97.7 (21st) PA – 106.0 (30th)
Overview:
The Toronto Raptors have won 2 straight games. On Monday they were victorious 99-96 at home versus Houston. Shooting guard DeMar DeRozan led the way with 42 points and 11 rebounds. He was 14 of 27 from the field, 2 of 4 from the 3 point line, and 12 of 17 from the free throw line in 41 minutes. Center Jonas Valanciunas netted 15 points on 5 of 9 from the field in 28 minutes. He also had 9 rebounds and 5 blocks. Backup shooting guard Louis Williams scored 13 points on 5 of 9 shooting in 27 reserve minutes. He was 3 of 6 from the 3 point line. He also had 5 assists. Power forward Amir Johnson contributed with 8 points and 16 rebounds. He was 4 of 7 from the field in 33 minutes. The team shot 44.9% from the field, 36.4% from the 3 point line (8-22), and 77.8% from the free throw line (21-27). They out-rebounded their opposition 48-41. He also had They are 23-13 on the road this season. The Raptors were down 4 at the half but outscored the Rockets 51-44 in the 2nd half. Toronto is 18-17 on the road this season. Their next game is Friday at the Brooklyn Nets.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have lost their last 4 games. On Monday they were defeated 104-84 at home versus the Utah Jazz. Point guard Zach LaVine led the team in scoring with 21 points on 7 of 19 shooting in 43 minutes. He was 6 of 7 from the free throw line. He also had 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Rookie small forward Andrew Wiggins netted 17 points on 5 of 15 shooting in 38 minutes. He was 7 of 9 from the foul line. He also had 5 rebounds. Reserve small forward Chase Budinger chipped in with 14 points and 7 rebounds. He was 5 of 11 from the field in 35 minutes off the bench. Center Justin Hamilton contributed with 11 points and 4 rebounds. He was 3 of 6 from the field and 5 of from the foul line 25 minutes. The team shot 36.8% from the field, 37.5% from the 3 point line (6-16), and 81.5% from the free throw line (22-27). The team was out-rebounded by their opposition 47-34. Their worst quarter was the 3rd as they were out-scored 31-17. Minnesota is 9-28 at home this season. Their next game is Friday at home versus the Orlando Magic
Toronto was victorious 105-100 at home in their first meeting this season versus Minnesota. The Raptors have won the last 7 meetings with the Timberwolves. Tonight is the final meeting of the season between the 2 teams.
Prediction:
The Raptors trail the Bulls by one full game for the 3rd spot in the East so this game means plenty for them. The Timberwolves are in deep rebuilding mode but they have talented young roster. Take the Raptors -9.5 (1.86) (Bet365)
Tagged With : Toronto Raptors betting
