Minnesota Timberwolves vs New York Knicks Prediction – Pickswise

The Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks will likely be linked in NBA history for years to come thanks to the trade made before the season that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York, while Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo were shipped off to Minnesota. We’re essentially halfway through the season, and it’s clear that this trade has been a massive net positive for the Knicks and a net negative for the Timberwolves, a statement that was proven to be pretty clear in a blowout win for New York in Minnesota back on December 19. Towns was a massive factor in that game, pouring in 32 points and adding 20 rebounds in the victory. What will the outcome be in this much-anticipated rematch?

There is some injury uncertainty in this matchup at Madison Square Garden, as Towns is listed as questionable with a sprained right thumb. If he does end up playing, this number is much too short given the power ratings of each of these teams. However, I’m going to operate under the assumption that Towns will miss this matchup — which does give Minnesota some important advantages in terms of how the Timberwolves will defend the paint against the Knicks. With that said, I don’t have much faith in the Minnesota offense to keep up with a New York team that is still capable of putting up 110+ points even without the big man in the lineup. We just saw New York get a tremendous game from Jalen Brunson against the 76ers, one that was reminiscent of what he was doing on a nightly basis a season ago. There is room for that performance to be replicated against a Minnesota defensive scheme that will be happy to have Rudy Gobert sit in drop coverage and allow Brunson and the rest of the New York guards to take lightly contested midrange shots. On the other side, the Knicks opportunistic defense could have a field day against a Wolves team that is 25th in turnover percentage and 26th in pace. Despite their prowess in transition, a limited number of possessions could actually do the Knicks some good given that New York’s starters have logged big minutes of late. While Minnesota has been playing a bit better of late following an awful start to the season, beating the likes of the Wizards, Pelicans and a banged-up Magic team is a far cry from what the Timberwolves will see on Friday. Let’s lay the short number with New York.

Timberwolves vs Knicks prediction: Knicks -3.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to 4.5

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