The Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks will square off in the NBA preseason, and this NBA matchup will feature plenty of familiar faces for both teams. Most preseason games generally fly under the radar in the national media, but this one will get extra coverage due to the recent blockbuster trade between these two teams.
On October 2nd, the New York Knicks shipped away Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves. This trade makes the NBA predictions for this game all the more interesting, and the 2024 NBA preseason odds expect a tight game in New York. Randle played the last five years in a Knicks uniform but could not mesh with his new teammates in New York. DiVincenzo’s departure broke up the ‘Villanova Knicks,’ but there is no doubt Towns will improve New York in the long run. Towns was drafted by the Timberwolves in 2015 and was shocked after being traded to New York in the offseason.
This will be a high profile matchup despite the fact that it is a preseason NBA game. You can follow expert picks and predictions for this game in a similar fashion to any regular season NBA matchup.
Timberwolves vs Knicks Overview
- Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks
- Date: Sunday, October 13th, 2024
- Time: Tip-off is at 6:00 PM EST
- Venue: Madison Square Garden in New York, New York
Current Timberwolves vs Knicks Odds
This preseason NBA matchup is can’t miss basketball, as both teams will be looking to build some momentum heading into the regular season. The New York Knicks are at home and are coming in as a slight favorite on the NBA odds.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves Can Cover?
The Minnesota Timberwolves can cover the spread for a variety of reasons. First, they are coming in as underdogs, so any victory or a close loss will result in them covering the spread. This helps level the playing field when making predictions on NBA underdogs, improving the odds your prediction will be correct.
Minnesota is one of the best defensive teams in the entire NBA, and they got even better defensively after trading away Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns was a liability, and his departure would allow Rudy Gobert to control the interior. Gobert has won DPOY four times in his career and has finished in the top five for votes another four times. His dominant presence in the paint removes the easy layups for Minnesota’s opponents, forcing teams to change their game plan against the Timberwolves.
The most fascinating aspect of this trade is how Julius Randle reacts to his new team. He was the star in New York until Jalen Brunson joined the Knicks two years ago, reducing Randle’s role. A change of scenery will be perfect for him, and he could help the Timberwolves cover the spread in New York.
The Timberwolves have good depth, with players like Naz Reid, DiVincenzo, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker coming off the bench. In preseason NBA games, the deeper team can usually come out on top, as teams are less likely to give heavy minutes to their starters.
Why the New York Knicks Can Cover?
The New York Knicks have lots going for them in this matchup. Even for preseason games, Madison Square Garden can get very loud, which will help shift the odds in favor of the Knicks.
The ‘Villanova’ New York Knicks took a hit when they lost Donte DiVincezno, but they still have Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, and new arrival Mikal Bridges to represent their school. Brunson has emerged as a true superstar for the Knicks, scoring 28.7 PPG and 6.7 assists last season, both of which were career highs. His partnership with Bridges in the backcourt will be a joy to watch for the Knicks faithful and will help tilt the scales in their favor against the Timberwolves.
It will be interesting to see how Karl-Anthony Towns fits in with the Knicks, as head coach Tom Thibodeau will demand maximum effort from his new center. Towns has been criticized for his lack of effort in the past, but if there is anyone who can get him to give his all, it is Thibodeau. Towns’ shooting abilities will allow the Knicks to spread the floor nicely, and he will look to make an impact against his former team.
New York has a strong starting lineup but lacks the depth to carry a potential first half lead into the second frame. They will share the minutes across 15-20 players against the Timberwolves, ensuring their depth scoring plays a big role in this contest.
How to Make Minnesota Timberwolves vs New York Knicks Picks?
In order to make Minnesota Timberwolves vs New York Knicks picks, you will need to visit Sportzino. Sportzino has competitive NBA odds for every preseason and regular season game and is the perfect place to make your NBA predictions. The NBA preseason features competitive basketball between players looking to keep their roster spots. These two teams will be bringing a little extra intensity to the court after their recent trade, making it the perfect candidate for your NBA preseason predictions. Using the expert picks and insights from above, you can improve your odds at making correct NBA predictions.
