Another inter-conference duel in the NBA will take place on Thursday, January 19, so make sure you check out the best Raptors vs. Timberwolves betting pick and odds.

Toronto is closing a three-game road trip when they visit Minnesota at Target Center. The Raptors are -2.5 favorites on BookMaker Sportsbook, while the total is set at N/A points. These inter-conference rivals will meet for the first time this season.

Raptors couldn’t beat Giannis-less Milwaukee

The Toronto Raptors (20-25, 22-23-0 ATS) did win four of the last six games but could defeat the Milwaukee Bucks, who played without injured Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. The Raptors opened a three-game road trip with an overtime win against the Knicks before allowing a season-high 130 points in a 130-122 loss to the Bucks. Toronto made 13 three-pointers opposite Milwaukee’s 19, and the hosts shot 53.9% from the field.

Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with a game-high 39 points, nine rebounds, and team-high seven assists. Gary Trent scored 28 points and game-high four steals, Pascal Siakam added 23 points and nine boards, while Scottie Barnes posted a double-double of 14 points and game-high 13 rebounds along with five dimes and three thefts.

SF Otto Porter Jr. (foot) is out indefinitely, while SF Dalano Banton (hip) is questionable to face Minnesota on Thursday.

Timberwolves fell short of the Jazz

The Minnesota Timberwolves (22-23, 19-26-0 ATS) were looking to secure the third straight victory and conclude a three-game home stand with a W but missed a game-winning shot against the Utah Jazz. Namely, the Wolves had a chance to get a win as time expired, but Jaden McDaniels missed a three-pointer and the Jazz celebrated a 126-125 win. Minnesota forced even 18 turnovers and made just five on the other end, while they had nine steals opposite Utah’s zero! Even so, they weren’t able to get an edge and take the win.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with a game-high 29 points, five assists, four rebounds, and game-high three steals. D’Angelo Russell chipped in 21 points and seven dishes, Jaylen Nowell scored 16, while Kyle Anderson registered a triple-double of 13 points, team-high 11 boards, and game-high ten dimes.

C Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) and PG Jordan McLaughlin (calf) are out indefinitely. C Rudy Gobert (groin), SF Taurean Prince (ankle), and SG Anthony Edwards (hip) are questionable to feature on Thursday against the Raptors.

Trends:

Toronto:

  • 4-1 ATS in the last five games playing on a day of rest

Minnesota:

  • 4-9 ATS in the last 13 games vs. a team with a losing straight-up record
  • 0-4 ATS in the last four home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400

Toronto Raptors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Pick

Minnesota will be playing the second of a back-to-back and will likely be without some starters against Toronto. The Wolves are facing the Nuggets on Wednesday and it’s possible that Edwards is going to play that game and then be rested on Thursday, while Gobert could miss both games. Tired and shorthanded, I don’t think the hosts have a chance against the Raptors, who have been playing well in the last ten days. The Wolves do have a better offense that is scoring 115.0 points per game, but they are already without KAT and could be without Edwards in this one, so I can say that offense is going to struggle.

Pick: Take the Raptors at -1.5 (-120)

The Total

While I am still not sure who will actually play or won’t for the Timberwolves on Thursday, I doubt their offense will contribute enough to make this a high-scoring game. Minnesota’s defense is playing well recently despite allowing 126 points in the latest game. They managed to keep the opponents below 117 points in seven of eight games before the aforementioned defeat to the Jazz. Under is 4-0 in the last four H2H meetings, while Under is 6-0 in the Timberwolves’ previous six vs. a team with a losing straight-up record.

Pick: Go Under N/A points