Another game, another defence of the six spot.
The T-Wolves (43-33, 7th in East) and Raptors (43-32, 6th in East) both have aspirations of escaping the play-in game. Minnesota has fallen two games behind Denver in their scenario with a key game coming up against the Nuggets on Friday. It’s likely that Minny will end up facing Paul George and the Clippers in the play-in, and if unsuccessful then taking on whoever is left standing between the Pelicans/Spurs/Lakers.
This is where I think it would be better if the play-in scenario was conditional. The Timberwolves are 11.5 games ahead of 10th in the West. It would be a travesty if they enter the play-in and somehow lose both games, missing the playoffs for the 17th time since 2004. Personally if the eight seed is more than five games ahead of ninth, I don’t think the teams below should get a play-in opportunity but that’s just me.
With Chicago’s win in Washington yesterday, Toronto trails the Bulls for fifth by a half game. The Cavs host Dallas tonight, which is a toss up game. The Raptors can separate themselves by two games from Cleveland with a win and some help from the Mavs.
Minny and Toronto last played just before the all-star break. It was a back and forth grind out contest until the Raptors used a 31-17 fourth quarter to pull away for good and win 103-91. Gary Trent Jr. had 30 points in that game.
Karl Anthony-Towns had a career-high 60 points against the Spurs two weeks ago. He’s one of the few players that could pose a problem for the Raptors if they roll out their five best players, but KAT plays outside quite a bit and has a finesse element to his game so it should be okay.
Patrick Beverley will probably annoy somebody at some point in this game. However he’s brought a swagger to a Minnesota team that is on track to make the playoffs for only the second time in 19 years.
Gary Trent Jr. plays basketball vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves today.
In their previous game, Patrick Beverley and GTJ both received a double technical foul before the game even started. Gary went on to score 30PTS leading the Raptors to a 103-91 victorypic.twitter.com/ra5HSKKWbr
— ً (@trentjrgary) March 30, 2022
Pat Bev got KAT acting different recently
pic.twitter.com/AronpoFwNS— Guru (@DrGuru_) March 24, 2022
Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam is coming off a 40-point masterpiece against albeit the shorthanded Celtics on Monday. It was just another day in March for Spicy P, who is averaging 26.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 4.8 apg on 53/44/75 splits during the best month of his career. Speaking of that nickname, many may have learned something yesterday during his NBA Today appearance.
Pascal Siakam joins NBA Today to talk about why he believes he should make an All-NBA Team.
Plus: did you know ‘Spicy P’ doesn’t like spicy food? pic.twitter.com/ea80Hbhe5Z
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) March 29, 2022
Tip-Off: 7:30pm EDT | TV: TSN 1/4 | Radio: Sportsnet 590
| min | tor | |
|---|---|---|
| +3 | Spread | -3 |
| +125 | Money Line | -145 |
|
Over/Under
229.5
|
||
My over/under prediction (16-13 this season): Minnesota is tied for Memphis for the most points per game this season with 115.4 and is also in the top half of the league in defensive rating. Former Raptors assistant Chris Finch has done a great job in his first full season with the team. Toronto has won 9 of its last 11 games. The fear of Cleveland making up a crucial game in a losing scenario will propel the Raptors to continue winning in a close one. The last game had 204 total points so I’m taking the under. Looking to extend my three game win streak!
T-Wolves, 110, Raptors 115
Gameday: Timberwolves vs Raptors, March 30 originated on Raptors Republic.
