Minnesota Timberwolves vs Boston Celtics Prediction: Boston will be extra motivated

Prediction for the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Boston Celtics match will occur on January 3. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves faced Western Conference leaders Oklahoma in their last game on the road and came into the game with three wins in a row. During that run, the Wolves defeated Dallas (99-105) and Houston (113-112) on the road and San Antonio (112-110) at home. Chris Finch's side could not extend its run of success, losing 105-113. Minnesota could not stop the Thunder's top scorer, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 40 points and was held to 21 effective possessions.

As a result, Minnesota has failed to improve its record. It has 17 wins in 32 games and occupies only eighth place in the Western Conference. At the same time, it is worth noting that the Timberwolves' defensive rating is fourth in the league. Their average passer rating is 107.4 points per game.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics remain at the top of the league in the key metrics - seventh in defense (108.9 points allowed per game on average) and fourth in offense (119.6 points scored per game). Boston is second in the Eastern Conference with a 24-9 record. At the same time, Joe Mazzulla's side has been surrendering results late. The Celtics have won just one of their last seven games, against Indiana and Chicago, and lost to Philadelphia 114-118 at TD Garden on Christmas Day.

In their last game, however, Boston won as comfortably as possible. At home to Toronto, the Celtics handed the Raptors the biggest defeat in their history, 125-71. The third quarter was key, with the reigning champions outscoring their opponents 45-18.

Expert Betting Tips

Boston will be extra motivated after a series of recent defeats, which will slimmer Minnesota's chances of success. Furthermore, the Timberwolves have yet to find stability in the current championship and are looking to offload Julius Randle, who was signed before the start of the season. We're going with Boston - both teams are in the top 7 in defensive rating and are more than capable of making each other's offensive game difficult.