Heading into another regular season clash of the 2024/25 NBA season, we have a matchup between the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference, where the Minnesota Timberwolves will host the Boston Celtics. The game, taking place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is set to start this Thursday (2nd) at 9:30 PM (Brasília time).
The Wolves are trying to inch closer to the Western Conference playoff zone but will face the current NBA champions, the Celtics.
Our Predictions: Boston Celtics to Win
The Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off a tough loss to the Western Conference leaders, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics recently dominated the Toronto Raptors in their last game. Although the team from Minneapolis isn’t in terrible form, the reigning NBA champions have been more consistent in their performances. Therefore, the prediction is a Celtics victory.
Over 219.5 points in the game
Even though the previous matchup between these two teams this season fell below this line, there are reasons to expect a more dynamic game this time. After all, the Minnesota Timberwolves have shown offensive improvement since then, and the Boston Celtics have their full roster available, with only Kristaps Porzingis as a doubt. Hence, the betting tip is on the over market for total points.
Latest news and statistics for the Minnesota Timberwolves
With Chris Finch courtside, the Minnesota Timberwolves are currently in the mid-tier of the Western Conference standings, with 17 wins and 15 losses. In the last ten games, the Minneapolis franchise has a 50% win rate, and their most recent game was a 115-103 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, ending a three-game winning streak.
In the loss to the Thunder, the Wolves converted 49.4% of their total shots and 39.5% from beyond the arc. Their top performers were Anthony Edwards, who scored 20 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out two assists, and made one block; Naz Reid, with 19 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and three blocks; and Mike Conley, who contributed 16 points, one rebound, four assists, and two steals.
Latest news and statistics for the Boston Celtics
On the other side of the court is the Eastern Conference’s second-placed team, the Boston Celtics, led by Joe Mazzulla, with a total of 24 wins and nine losses. The Massachusetts team also has a 50% win rate in their last ten games, but their most recent game was a resounding 125-71 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
In the win against the Raptors, the Celtics had a 54% shooting accuracy overall and 51.2% from three-point range. Their standout players were Jayson Tatum, who scored 23 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and provided three assists; Payton Pritchard, with 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals; and Derrick White, who added 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, and four blocks.