NBA Spreads: Washington Wizards at Minnesota Timberwolves
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Washington Wizards will look to snap a season-long 18 game road losing streak when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. Washington is the only team in the league that doesn’t have a road win, and they hope they can change that after a thrilling 136-133 win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Minnesota will try to snap a losing streak of their own after falling to the Spurs 107-96. Minnesota has lost five straight, including three in a row at home. Taking a look at the NBA odds for tonight’s games, the Timberwolves are favored by 4-points over the Wizards.
Looking for a great place to do your NBA betting this season? Sports Interaction is offering our readers a special 100% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit!
Normally when you have a team as bad as the Wizards are on the road, they typically aren’t much better on their home court, but Washington is 10-8 at home this season, so its not like this team doesn’t know how to win. The Wizards in fact have won two of their last three, but sandwiched between two home wins was a 104-89 loss at Charlotte.
The Wizards got a huge performance from Nick Young, who scored a career-high 43 points against the Kings. Young was 14-22 from the field, including 7-10 from long distance. Young however had just seven points in the Wizards last road game against the Bobcats.
Rookie John Wall also had a nice game against the Kings, scoring 22 points, dishing out nine assists, and grabbing six rebounds. Wall is averaging 10.6 assists in his last five games, and will need to be at his best for Washington to end their major slump on the road.
Making things a littler easier for the Wizards will be the fact that the Timberwolves will more than likely be without one of their leading scorers, Michael Beasley, who aggravated his already injured left ankle against the Spurs. Beasley is averaging 20.9 and 5.8 rebounds this season.
With Beasley out Minnesota will need a big performance from Kevin Love, who recorded his 25th consecutive double-double against the Spurs with 20 points and 20 rebounds. It was the sixth time this season Love has had at least 20 points and 20 rebounds.
Because Love already does so much scoring for the Timberwolves, someone other than him is likely going to have to pick up their game while Beasley is sidelined. In the latest lost to the Spurs Martell Webster scored 18 points off the bench, and Minnesota could really use this kind of production on a consistent basis from Webster.
Minnesota still has enough talent to win this game, and especially against the Wizards, who barely held on to beat the Kings, who were without their leading scorer Tyreke Evans. I say lay the points and take Minnesota in this one.
For more help with who to take in the NBA this season, check out what our experts have to offer in their daily NBA picks.
Got something to say?
