NBA Betting Picks: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to the Barclays Center for an inter-conference matchup with the Brooklyn Nets on Friday evening. The Timberwolves (11-11) are playing a fresh brand of basketball and have been getting it done on the defensive side of the ball. The Nets (15-6) are up to their usual winning ways, leading the Eastern Conference through 21 games. Brooklyn opens this contest as a considerable home favorite.

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Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Brooklyn Nets Betting Lines

At Basketball Insiders, we get all of our game lines and information from the best betting sites. All of the game lines that are featured below are taken from BetUS.

Point Spread: Brooklyn Nets -7
Money Line: MIN +230/ BKN -270
Total: Over/Under 222

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Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Brooklyn Nets Injury Report

Patrick Beverley (groin) will be out until at least next week for the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Jarred Vanderbilt are all game-time decisions with various illnesses.

The Nets will continue to be without Nicolas Claxton (illness) until next weekend. Joe Harris and Kyrie Irving will be out indefinitely. 

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview

Timberwolves Improving Defensively

Breaking out of a slumbering start to the season, the Timberwolves have crawled back to the .500 mark. Center Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 23.4 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 50.5 percent from the floor to lead Minnesota. Guard Anthony Edwards is averaging 22.2 points while fourth-year forward Jarred Vanderbilt has solidified his place in the starting lineup over the past 10 games. 

The former Kentucky product has formed a tandem with veteran Patrick Beverley to give them a strong defensive presence that has been lacking for nearly a decade in Minnesota. Beverly will be out for the next two weeks, but they should not falter too much on that end. 

Through 22 games, the T-Wolves rank tenth in defensive rating (105.4). Deangelo Russel was never known for his D, so the two guards have combined to offer a good balance between their rotations. It’s a positive start for the Timberwolves after a month of play. 

StarStudded Nets Rolling Along

To nobody’s surprise, the Nets sit in first place in the Eastern Conference through 21 games. Although averaging 109.5 points per game, they’ve been shooting the ball at a 46.7% clip, good for 4th in the NBA. Shockingly, they rank 7th in defensive rating. The Nets, notably James Harden, have been known to dog it on the defensive end during the regular season. But, it looks like this Brooklyn team has put emphasis on that end this year after coming up short in the Eastern Conference Finals just a year ago. 

Hoopers wanna hoop. pic.twitter.com/Lx2j5cYCiq

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 2, 2021

After a tumultuous first week adjusting to the recent rule change, James Harden has put together a strong start. The 12th year veteran is averaging 21.0 points, 9.3 dimes, and 8 rebounds through 21 games. He’s shooting the ball at a lower than usual 41% clip, but expect that to normalize as the season progresses. Brooklyn will only go as far as their mega-stars take them. 

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Brooklyn Nets Prediction

The Timberwolves won just 10 times on the road last season, but have won two of their last three away from their home building. This Minnesota team looks drastically different than a year ago, with an incredible amount of emphasis being placed on the defensive end. 

Through 22 games, the T-Wolves rank tenth in defensive rating (105.4). Deangelo Russel was never known for his D, but it’s added another element to his already excellent offensive game. Minnesota is 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games and has won seven of their last eight games overall. Don’t bother with the points in this one, as Minnesota wins the game outright as big road underdogs. Take the T-Wolves in an upset special. 

Interested betting on the Minnesota team? – Don’t miss out on reading our guide about sports betting in Minnesota first!

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Brooklyn Nets Pick

Keep the points in this game as Minnesota wins the game outright as big road underdogs. Take the T-Wolves in an upset special. 

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