Predictions, Player Props, and Best Odds for Celtics vs Timberwolves Game on January 2nd

• Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics visit Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night
• The T-Wolves blew a 12-point second-half lead in OKC last time out, while the C’s won by 54 against Toronto
• See the Celtics vs Timberwolves predictions, player props, and best available odds on Jan. 2

An heavyweight interconference tilt highlights the NBA schedule on Thursday as the Boston Celtics (24-9, 11-3 away, 13-20 ATS) pay a visit to the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-15, 9-6 home, 13-19 ATS) at the Target Center at 6:40 pm CT/7:40 pm ET. Coming off a ludicrous 125-71 win over Toronto, Boston is listed as a 3.5-point road favorite in Thursday’s NBA odds.

Boston Celtics vs Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions

• Timberwolves moneyline (+150) at FanDuel Odds as of Jan. 2. Claim the FanDuel promo code to bet on any NBA game on Thursday night. 

The first matchup between these teams back on November 24 was a curious affair. A three-point game at the half, Boston opened up a 19-point lead midway through the third quarter. But Minnesota came almost all the way back, closing the gap to two with 2:04 on the clock before ultimately falling 107-105.

Anthony Edwards (24.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.9 APG) lead the Wolves with 28, while Jaylen Brown (24.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.6 APG) had a game-high 29 for the C’s.

Unfortunately for Boston, both Brown (shoulder) and Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) are officially listed as questionable for Thursday’s game in Minnesota.

Porzingis also missed Boston’s last game, an absolute laugher against Toronto (125-71), which saw seven different Celtics hit double-figures, including seldom-used Jordan Walsh. Jayson Tatum (28.3 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 5.5 APG) had a team-high 23 points in just 29 minutes.

Minnesota showed its sky-high ceiling against the West-leading OKC Thunder last time out, building a seven-point lead on the road by halftime and stretching it to 12 early in the third quarter. But that’s when the wheels came off and a 65-53 lead turned into an 89-75 deficit during a 36-10 OKC run.

Edwards led Minnesota with just 20 points while the T-Wolves’ defense was torched for 40 by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the current frontrunner in the NBA MVP odds.

I am siding with the Timberwolves on Thursday, and not just against the spread, but also straight-up. Boston’s win over Toronto notwithstanding, the team has been uncharacteristically inconsistent over the past two weeks, going just 3-4 SU despite five of those seven games coming on their home court.

These teams also have a history of playing hyper-tight games. The last four either went to OT or were decided by a single bucket, which convinces me all the more that the value is on Minnesota at +150, which carries an implied win probability of just 40%. Thursday’s game is much closer to a 50/50 toss-up.

BOS vs MIN Player Props

NBA player props from DraftKings on Jan. 2.

Tatum leads the point totals on Thursday night with an O/U of 26.5. Edwards is just one point lower at 25.5, while Brown (22.5) is the only other player over 20. Rudy Gobert has the highest rebound total at 10.5 while four different players have a game-high assist total of 4.5.

Best Celtics vs Timberwolves Odds

There is a full one-point range in Thursday’s Celtics/Timberwolves point spread. Most books have it at Boston -4.0, but the number is as high as 4.5 at FanDuel and as low as 3.5 at ESPN Bet.

FanDuel also has the longest moneyline odds on a Minnesota victory at +150. The best Celtics moneyline is -170, which is available at all of bet365, Caesars, DraftKings, and ESPN Bet.

The game total ranges from 220.5 to 221.0. The best option for over bettors is 220.5 (-115) at bet365 or ESPN Bet, while the best option for under bettors is 221.0 (-110) at FanDuel.

The NBA public betting trends are all over the Celtics against the spread. As of 9:15 am ET, Boston is getting 81% of ATS handle. That said, the Timberwolves have attracted 63% of moneyline handle on just 16% of the bets, meaning there is one or more big bets on Minnesota to win straight-up.

The Boston Celtics will face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 2nd in what promises to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams. As we look ahead to this game, let’s take a closer look at some predictions, player props, and the best odds for this highly anticipated contest.

Predictions:

The Celtics come into this game with a record of 21-14, while the Timberwolves are currently sitting at 16-18. Both teams have been playing well recently, with the Celtics winning seven of their last ten games and the Timberwolves winning six of their last ten.

In terms of predictions for this game, the Celtics are favored to come out on top. They have a strong roster led by stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who have been playing at a high level all season. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, will need big performances from players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards if they hope to pull off the upset.

Player Props:

When it comes to player props for this game, there are a few key players to keep an eye on. For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum is always a threat to put up big numbers, so look for him to have a strong game scoring-wise. Jaylen Brown is another player to watch, as he has been playing some of the best basketball of his career this season.

On the Timberwolves side, Karl-Anthony Towns will be the focal point of their offense. He is a versatile big man who can score from anywhere on the court, so expect him to have a big impact on the game. Anthony Edwards is another player to watch, as the rookie has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season.

Best Odds:

As for the best odds for this game, most sportsbooks have the Celtics listed as favorites to win. The point spread is likely to be close, but the Celtics are expected to come out on top. If you’re looking to place a bet on this game, keep an eye out for any potential value in the betting lines.

In conclusion, the Celtics vs Timberwolves game on January 2nd is shaping up to be a competitive matchup between two talented teams. With strong player performances and close odds, this game has all the makings of an exciting contest for basketball fans. Be sure to tune in and see how it all plays out!