The Minnesota Timberwolves are set to face the New York Knicks in a cross-conference NBA matchup on Friday Night Basketball in the NBA. The Knicks hold a 27-15 overall record, including a 13-7 mark at home, while the Timberwolves are 21-19 overall and 11-10 on the road. These stats are important if you bet on sports, so make sure you keep track of it.
New York has won the last two meetings between the teams, including a dominant 133-107 victory in Minnesota back in December. This season, the Knicks are 20-20-2 against the spread (ATS), whereas the Timberwolves are 15-24-1. Will the Knicks secure an easy win, or will the Timberwolves break the Knicks’ win streak? Get the latest guides from gambling interaction to find out how to predict outcomes and bet on basketball.
Friday Night Basketball: Knicks vs Timberwolves
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden in New York City. According to lines set by most bookie sites, the Knicks are favored by 4.5 points, with the over/under set at 217.5.
To give you an idea of what to expect, let us look at recent games. On Wednesday, the Knicks edged out the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime, securing a 125-119 victory. Jalen Brunson delivered another stellar performance with 38 points on 14-of-22 shooting, marking his fourth consecutive game with at least 30 points. Josh Hart also played a crucial role, recording his fifth triple-double of the season with 10 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists.
New York played that game without Karl-Anthony Towns, who is nursing a thumb injury and is listed as questionable for Friday’s matchup. Even in Towns’ absence, the Knicks have maintained an efficient offense, ranking among the league’s top three in field goal percentage, two-point percentage, and free throw percentage. Mikal Bridges, a recent addition to the team, has settled in well, averaging 20 points on 52.3% shooting since December. The Knicks also rank second in the NBA in offensive rating this season.
Can the Timberwolves Turn Things Around?
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves narrowly lost to the Golden State Warriors, 116-115, on Wednesday. Donte DiVincenzo led the way with 28 points and nine assists, while Anthony Edwards matched his output with 28 points and added eight rebounds. Despite the loss, Minnesota has been strong on the road, winning its last three away games by an average margin of 12 points.
The Timberwolves come into this game at full strength, while the Knicks may still be without Towns. Without him, New York is 1-3 ATS and has struggled against teams near .500, going 0-4 ATS against opponents with a win percentage between 45% and 55%, such as the Timberwolves. Minnesota boasts a top-tier defense, ranking among the league’s top six in points allowed per game, three-point percentage allowed, and defensive rating.
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