Tipping off at 8:00 p.m. ET during tonight’s full 15-game NBA slate, the Milwaukee Bucks will face off with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
There were not particularly high hopes for this Bucks team coming into the year, but Milwaukee has slipped to 1-5 out of the gates and is tied for the worst record in the Eastern Conference. The Minnesota Timberwolves were one of the most exciting teams in the league to start the season, but their outlook took a major hit following Anthony Edwards’ knee injury. Even still, the Timberwolves are 4-3 through their opening seven games.
Looking at the odds for tonight’s matchup, the Timberwolves enter as 10.5-point favorites with -423 Moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Bucks hold +331 odds to pull off the outright win, with the game total set at 230.5 points.
Bucks vs. Timberwolves Preview
The Milwaukee Bucks have slipped to a 1-5 record to start the season. Their lone victory came against the Indiana Pacers, and they have fallen short against the Wizards, Bulls, 76ers, Rockets and Cavaliers. Through their first six games, the Bucks have gone 2-4 against the spread, and the game total has gone over in five of those six contests.
Tyler Herro headlines the production for this Bucks team, posting averages of 22.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Jaime Jaquez Jr. adds 16.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists, while Kel’el Ware contributes 13.0 points and a team-high 8.7 rebounds. All three were among the primary pieces Milwaukee received in the offseason trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kyle Kuzma and Ryan Rollins are also averaging in double figures, while Kasparas Jakučionis, Brayden Burries, Myles Turner and Nate Ament have each shown flashes.
Taylor Jenkins’ squad is averaging 113.0 points per game, which ranks 17th in the league. The Bucks also rank 20th in offensive rating, 23rd in field goal percentage and 21st in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents are scoring 126.2 points per game against Milwaukee, which ranks 28th in the league. Milwaukee also ranks 28th in defensive rating, 23rd in opponents’ field goal percentage and 27th in opponents’ three-point attempts allowed.
The Minnesota Timberwolves got off to a 3-0 start to the season but have fallen to 4-3 following their first seven games. Their victories have come against the Heat, Magic, Raptors and Clippers, while Minnesota has come up short against the Cavaliers, Warriors and Spurs. Despite dropping three of their last four games, the Timberwolves are 6-1 against the spread this season, and the game total has gone over in four of their seven contests.
Anthony Edwards will be sidelined for up to two months due to a cartilage issue in his knee, and tonight will mark his fourth consecutive game missed. Donte DiVincenzo is also sidelined as he recovers from his Achilles tear, while LaMelo Ball has been added to this injury report as questionable with a right wrist contusion. Terrence Shannon Jr. is also questionable due to a left hip contusion.
Among the available players, Jaden McDaniels is leading the scoring effort with 17.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Ayo Dosunmu has also played a major role with 15.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists, while Jonathan Kuminga contributes 12.9 points and 4.7 rebounds on average. Ball is adding 14.4 points and 6.3 assists through his first seven games, while Terrence Shannon Jr. is the only other Timberwolves player averaging in double figures. Joan Beringer, Rudy Gobert and Bones Hyland also play key roles.
The Timberwolves have continued to put together strong numbers despite their recent injury setbacks. They are averaging 120.0 points per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. Minnesota also ranks eighth in offensive rating, fifth in field goal percentage and sixth in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents are scoring 108.7 points per game against the Timberwolves, which ranks eighth in the league. They also rank fourth in defensive rating, seventh in opponents’ field goal percentage and sixth in opponents’ three-point percentage.
Bucks vs. Timberwolves Pick, Best Bet
There will be a time when injuries catch up to this Timberwolves team, but don’t expect that to be the case in this matchup with the Bucks. Milwaukee has some deep-rooted issues on both sides of the ball and simply lacks the necessary level of talent to go toe-to-toe with the league’s elite teams. Even with Minnesota dealing with injuries, the Timberwolves play connected basketball with a clear identity and swagger, and they are capable of winning in a variety of ways.
Milwaukee has looked increasingly concerning of late. They are coming off of a 136-111 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in which they allowed 72 first half points, and they also fell 132-100 to the Houston Rockets this week. The Bucks have conceded 119 or more points in five of the six games, and haven’t exactly faced a murderer’s row of matchups.
Even with the injuries of note, the Timberwolves have plenty of depth and ball-handlers capable of stepping up. Count on Minnesota to look like the better team on both sides of the ball, with the toughness the Timberwolves play with making a major difference. Milwaukee is one of the worst defensive teams in the league, and players like Ayo Dosunmu and Jonathan Kuminga should have opportunities to get to their spots on the floor.
The 6-1 against-the-spread record is an impressive figure for this Minnesota team, and expect the Timberwolves to add to it as the clear superior team. Milwaukee is on a concerning track early in the season, and Minnesota should be eager to capitalize on the favorable matchup following its recent string of losses.
