Who’s Playing
Portland @ Minnesota
Current Records: Portland 21-15; Minnesota 8-29
What to Know
The Portland Trail Blazers have enjoyed the comforts of home their last four games, but now they must head out on the road. The Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves will face off in a Northwest Division battle at 8 p.m. ET Saturday at Target Center. Portland needs to shore up a defense that is allowing 115.25 points per contest.
It was all tied up 60-60 at halftime, but Portland was not quite the Phoenix Suns’ equal in the second half when they met on Thursday. Portland was within striking distance but couldn’t close the gap as they fell 127-121 to Phoenix. The losing side was boosted by point guard Damian Lillard, who shot 5-for-12 from beyond the arc and finished with 30 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
Meanwhile, Minnesota took their game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday by a conclusive 135-105 score. The matchup was all but wrapped up at the end of the third, by which point the Timberwolves had established a 105-82 advantage. They can attribute much of their success to shooting guard Jaylen Nowell, who shot 6-for-7 from downtown and finished with 28 points, six dimes and five boards.
The Trail Blazers are the favorite in this one, with an expected 4.5-point margin of victory. The odds have been favorable for them against the spread on the road this season, even if it’s been tough sledding overall. They are 12-6 ATS in away games but only 19-17 all in all.
Minnesota’s victory lifted them to 8-29 while Portland’s defeat dropped them down to 21-15. Given their high-scoring efforts against their previous opponents, it will be interesting to see how far up these teams can run up the score.
How To Watch
- When: Saturday at 8 p.m. ET
- Where: Target Center — Minneapolis, Minnesota
- TV: Fox Sports – North
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
Odds
The Trail Blazers are a 4.5-point favorite against the Timberwolves, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 4.5-point spread, and stayed right there.
Over/Under: -111
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Series History
Portland have won 13 out of their last 19 games against Minnesota.
- Jan 07, 2021 – Portland 135 vs. Minnesota 117
- Jan 09, 2020 – Minnesota 116 vs. Portland 102
- Dec 21, 2019 – Portland 113 vs. Minnesota 106
- Apr 01, 2019 – Portland 132 vs. Minnesota 122
- Dec 08, 2018 – Portland 113 vs. Minnesota 105
- Nov 16, 2018 – Minnesota 112 vs. Portland 96
- Nov 04, 2018 – Portland 111 vs. Minnesota 81
- Mar 01, 2018 – Portland 108 vs. Minnesota 99
- Jan 24, 2018 – Portland 123 vs. Minnesota 114
- Jan 14, 2018 – Minnesota 120 vs. Portland 103
- Dec 18, 2017 – Minnesota 108 vs. Portland 107
- Apr 06, 2017 – Portland 105 vs. Minnesota 98
- Apr 03, 2017 – Minnesota 110 vs. Portland 109
- Mar 25, 2017 – Portland 112 vs. Minnesota 100
- Jan 01, 2017 – Portland 95 vs. Minnesota 89
- Apr 09, 2016 – Minnesota 106 vs. Portland 105
- Jan 31, 2016 – Portland 96 vs. Minnesota 93
- Dec 05, 2015 – Portland 109 vs. Minnesota 103
- Nov 02, 2015 – Portland 106 vs. Minnesota 101