It hasn’t been the best start for either the Miami Heat (7-10) or the Minnesota Timberwolves (8-8). Still, both teams will get a chance to gain some much-needed momentum with a key victory tonight at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST, and the game can be seen on BSN and BSSUN.
This is one of eight NBA matchups on the NBA schedule for Monday night. Miami enters the game 11th in the Eastern Conference and is on a three-game losing streak, while the Timberwolves standings are 10th in the Western Conference but are heading in the opposite direction of the Heat as they’ve now won three games in a row. Keep this in mind when making a Heat vs Timberwolves prediction.
Last Game Records
Heats’ Last Game Record
Miami is supposed to be a championship contender. Led by Jimmy Butler, the team has a strong veteran core that also includes Kyle Lowry and Bam Adebayo.
Tyler Herro is also one of the best young scorers in the game. Yet, they’re on a three-game losing streak and are certainly not among the NBA picks today to win the championship.
The Heat suffered an especially embarrassing loss last night to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Miami lost 113-87 to the Cavs and was outscored by a combined 30 points in the second and third quarters.
Miami lost 107-106 to the Washington Wizards on Friday and 112-104 to the Toronto Raptors last Wednesday.
Timberwolves’ Last Game Record
Minnesota, meanwhile, is coming off an impressive 112-109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Its three-game winning streak also includes victories over the Orlando Magic and Cavaliers. Minnesota had lost three in a row before its current streak.
Matchup information
Miami Heat vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Analysis
Minnesota is the huge moneyline favorites heading into Monday night’s game.
The NBA odds today for the game have the Timberwolves as -325 moneyline favorites. Minnesota is also listed at -8 (-110) on the spread. Miami, of course, is +8 (-110) on the spread.
The total for the Heat vs Timberwolves prediction is 218, with the over and under paying out -110 each.
Can the Heat Turn Things Around Without Butler?
Jimmy Butler, Miami’s leading scorer in NBA player stats with 20.9 points per game, missed the team’s last two games with a knee injury.
He didn’t travel with the Heat to Cleveland on Sunday and is unlikely to play on Monday as he’s on the NBA injury report with a knee injury.
Herro’s Injury
Herro, another Heat stats leader, also missed Miami’s last two games due to an ankle injury.
Miami hasn’t been able to weather these injuries early on, as they looked particularly weak on Sunday night against Cleveland. Their starting lineup featured Nikola Jovic and Max Strus, both of whom are used to coming off the bench.
Minnesota’s Surprisingly Average Defense
The Minnesota Timberwolves have allowed at least 107 points in each of its last ten games and haven’t limited an opponent to fewer than 100 points since the second game of the preseason against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Minnesota ranks 17th in defensive rating with 113.1 points allowed per game. Minnesota was projected to be a top defensive team in the league this season after acquiring rim protector Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz in the offseason.
Gobert’s Leadership
Gobert leads the NBA team stats in blocks with 1.4 per game, but that’s down considerably from the 2.1 he averaged last season.
In fact, he hasn’t averaged less than two blocks per game since his rookie season.
NBA Injury Report
Minnesota has the benefit of coming into tonight’s game with a completely healthy team.
Miami, however, is not only without Herro and Butler but has several other game-time decisions, including Udonis Haslem and Duncan Robinson.
Miami Heat vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
Miami is the worst team in the league against the spread (ATS) this season, with a record of 4-13. They’re 2-5 ATS on the road and just 1-6 overall on the road this season.
Minnesota hasn’t fared much better, as they’re just 6-10 ATS and 3-6 ATS at home. The under has hit more often than the over in both teams’ games.
Miami Heat vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Prediction
Miami has been a disaster this season, and there are too many injuries to count on the team turning things around tonight.
Combined with the fact they played last night and the Timberwolves have an extra day of rest, expect Minnesota to cover the spread tonight in your Heat vs Timberwolves prediction.
NBA Pick: Timberwolves -8 (-110)
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