Joralexray Garcia
This Thursday, January 19, the NBA will once again offer another day of few but intense games, and Raptors vs Timberwolves will be one of them. This clash will feature two teams that are desperate for victories to remain aligned with their respective objectives.
The Raptors have recently had a strong dominance in this particular game series, winning eight of the last nine games played, including the last three. However, with the Timberwolves now playing at home and arriving to this game in better shape, could mean that things could turn around.
JefeBet brings you the best analysis of the different games of the best basketball league in the world with their respective predictions, as well as the best sports betting content. So, here we leave you our Toronto Raptors vs Minnesota Timberwolves prediction.
Predictions, Odds, and Betting Preview for the Raptors vs Timberwolves NBA Regular Season Game on January 19, 2023
- Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- When: Thursday, January 19, 2023, 8:00 PM E.T.
[the_ad_placement id=”sports-nba”]
Betting on the Toronto Raptors
- Season record: 20-25
The Canadian team has looked much better in recent weeks, however, they still haven’t done enough to turn their situation around, staying out of the playoff spots after losing their most recent game. Being only half a game away from those spots, the Raptors are aware that they must continue putting effort in.
The Raptors’ recent loss came against the Milwaukee Bucks, in the second encounter of a three-game away from home stretch that will end today. In that game, the Bucks managed to get strong at home even without their big star, Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo, on the court. They won by a 122-130 score. Fred VanVleet had a superb performance, scoring 39 points and providing 7 assists in that game. Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. and Pascak Siakam contributed with 28 and 23 points, respectively..
The Raptors’ offense has struggled a lot all year, however, they have shown a different side since the second week of 2023 began, scoring 115+ points in five of six games played. On the contrary, their defense has been much less effective during that span.
Betting on the Minnesota Timberwolves
- Season record: 22-24
Just like their rival, the Timberwolves have also struggled for most of the campaign, and even with only three losses in their last nine games played, they still have a negative record. Still, because of how close the Western Conference has been this campaign, they are only a game and a half out of the playoff spots.
After a brief road trip, the Timberwolves will return home, something that greatly increases their chances of success for this game. They have a decent 14-10 record playing at home, and they also average 117.3 points scored per game. Those kind of numbers is something this team will need to count on for this clash, where they will be playing without Rudy Gobert, their defensive leader.
Last night, it was precisely the defense that failed them against the Denver Nuggets, since, although they reached the last quarter with a seven-point lead, they lost it 23-34 to end up sealing a painful 118-122 defeat.
JefeBet Prediction
Despite their recent slump, the Raptors are in a very good moment, but they have yet to prove that they are capable of recording good results playing away from home in a consistet way, as they have a poor 6-14 record on the road.This record will be difficult to improve considering the opponent they will face in this game.
On the other hand, the Wolves suffered a hard loss such as that of Gobert. However, he does not usually produce much on offense and his absence could open the door to another more effective player. Moreover, Anthony Edwards, the offensive leader of the team, has always expressed his preference to play without “so many people in the paint”, an obvious reference to Gobert’s style.
Regardless of the absences, the Timberwolves are usually a strong team on offense, more so when they are playing at home, so we expect them to take advantage of their opponent’s weaknesses in this Raptors vs Timberwolves game and take the victory comfortably.
Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves Spread.
