Brooklyn Nets vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Minnesota has shown the fight

Injuries have started to become more frequent in the league right now and we can be without many major players now. Meanwhile, in this cross-conference match-up, the Brooklyn Nets will host the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nets have won 15 games and lost 6. Meanwhile, Minnesota has won half of its 22 games. For an overview of the match-up, head over to the “Notes” section.

Brooklyn Nets: It is really a surprise that the Nets have loaded up 110-125 points regularly this season. With James Harden and Kevin Durant, you get two top-notch-scorers and while Harden is an elite passer, Durant is no less lucrative with that skill. The advantage with these two is that they can be ball handlers, off-the-ball players, and create a ton of shots for the team. The Nets are expected to hover around the 110 points range on most nights. Nets are shooting 37% or so from three, which places them in the top-five.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Minnesota struggled early in the season to get near 105-110 points but for the last few days, they have hit the 107-117 points mark on a regular basis. The offense has certainly improved mostly because Karl Anthony-Towns has become more assertive recently. Edwards can supply around 20-25 regularly, Russell can dip in 17-22, and even if the bench is not deep, Malik Beasley provides 10-15 points consistently. The Timberwolves can miss Towns for this match so that can be a big blow to their schemes.

Hands-up at perimeter for both teams: These are the two best perimeter defenses in the league percentage-wise. The Nets allow below 31% while Timberwolves below 32% from the three-point line. Nets hold teams to under 43% from the field while Minnesota holds them to under 44%. Both teams have defended well but rebounding is not the strong suit, especially for Minnesota. The team has allowed opponents to take away more than 12 offensive rebounds a game and the squad is the worst in that regard.

Points allowed: Nets have allowed 110+ points consistently but their loaded offense makes up for it so teams are usually playing catching-up. It can be argued that Minnesota’s defense has weakened a bit with Beverley out and the team has allowed 113 points or so regularly these days. But don’t get me wrong, these are not too poor defensive squads on average, there are times when teams are caught up in dry spells and the inflated scoring can be a result of not poor defensive efforts but a desperate effort from oppositions.

Nets have two high-yielding iso scorers in Durant and Harden who can put up 30 or more on their best shooting days. The Timberwolves are outmatched at the PG and Wing positions. The Timberwolves also have three top-quality scorers in Russell, Towns, and Edwards, but if Towns ends up missing the game, it can hurt the Wolves. If he plays then he can outmatch the frontline of Nets with Jarred Vanderbilt. The match-up battle off the bench and among role players is largely evenly matched up.

Here are some quick hitters related to the game:

• The Brooklyn Nets have seven wins and four losses at home. The team has won five out of its last six games;
• Timberwolves have four wins and five losses away from home;
• Timberwolves have scored 107, 100, 121(2 OT), 115, 113 in their last five games;
• Nets have scored 112, 107, 123, 117, 115 in the last five games;
• Timberwolves have allowed 115, 98, 120(2OT), 133, 101 in the last five games;
• Nets have allowed 110, 113, 104, 112, 113 in the last five games;
• Kevin Durant has dipped in 25-35 points during most games. Harden has dished 11 or more assists many times;
• Karl Anthony-Towns has scored 32 or more twice in a row. DeAngelo Russell has between 8-11 assists in each of the last three games. Jarred Vanderbilt has pulled down 10-15 rebounds in many games recently;
• Karl Anthony-Towns is questionable while Anthony Edwards and Jarred Vanderbilt are probable for the Timberwolves. Patrick Beverley remains out indefinitely;
• Joe Harris is out with an injury for the Nets while Kyrie Irving is yet to play due to his vaccination status.

Points Range: If Towns ends up missing the game, frankly, I don’t see Minnesota getting to 108-115 points, I think the cap is at 100-105 points range here. For the Nets, if both Harden and Kevin Durant are out of the injury list as of now play then the Nets can notch up to 110-120 points. Suppose Towns plays, then I think the points range will be somewhere 220-230. If he ends up missing the game, it can be 210-220. I take the 215-225 range here. Let us see!

Prediction: I give Brooklyn an edge here, first, the team is playing at home, and secondly, the team has two superstars. Even if Towns play, I think the Nets will extract a win here. The scoreline prediction is 116:103 in favor of Brooklyn.

• W1 and Total 1 Over 110.5 - Yes for 1.94;
• Total Points: Over 218.5 for 1.90;
• Player Props: Player Points and Assists: James Harden Over 32.5 for 1.83.