Minnesota Timberwolves Odds - Young 'Wolves should prepare for tame educational
Minnesota has no chance of pulling off an online sports betting upset and winning the NBA title, let’s just get that out of the way right now. But with a new coach who is used to winning, the Timberwolves should look forward to a season in which they learn how to play defense, which will make them more competitive in the long run. With their young core, it could be a long season in the standings, but a crucial one in their development.
Minnesota Timberwolves Odds: +10000 to win NBA Championship
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Minnesota Timberwolves odds maker breakdown: STARTING FIVE
The Timberwolves’ strength lies in their frontcourt duo of Al Jefferson and Kevin Love, but Jefferson is coming off his second major knee injury, while Love begins the season on the disabled list with a broken hand, which means fellow UCLA alum Ryan Hollins will get a chance to prove himself. Ryan Gomes should have the three-spot locked down, while Ramon Session joined the club from Milwaukee. Rookie Jonny Flynn has impressed in the preseason, and with Flynn and Sessions in the same backcourt, the Timberwolves are quick, but very small. Damien Wilkins may be drafted into the lineup for size at the two-spot, at least until Corey Brewer gets back into game shape, and rookie Wayne Ellington gets used to the NBA.
Minnesota Timberwolves odds maker breakdown: BENCH
Minnesota is loaded with players who can play the two or three spot, with Brewer coming back from a knee injury, and Ellington is loaded with talent. Sessions can spell Flynn at the point, and the Timberwolves picked up Sasha Pavlovic, who was bought out in Phoenix. Hollins is much better suited for a backup big man role, and he’ll join Mark Blount off the bench once Love is healthy again. The Timberwolves would also like to get some quality minutes out of Oleksiy Pecherov, a power forward who hasn’t done much since being drafted 18th by Washington in 2006.
Minnesota Timberwolves odds maker breakdown: OFFENSE
The Timberwolves were 21st in the league in points, but they lost Randy Foye, who kicked in over 16 points, and Love also averaged over 11 points while adding 3.4 offensive rebounds. Jefferson will be the focus of the Minnesota offense, while Flynn will also be counted on to contribute, which can’t capture the faith of sportsbook players.
Minnesota Timberwolves odds maker breakdown: DEFENSE
Minnesota was 22nd in points allowed, and fixing the defense should be the first order of business for new coach Kurt Rambis, who was a gritty, defense-first role player during his career. The Timberwolves don’t really have a player that can alter shots in the lane, outside of Jefferson, and there’s no shutdown perimeter defender. Brewer has the best chance, but he has to prove that his knee is 100% again.
Minnesota Timberwolves odds maker breakdown: COACHING
Rambis coached the Los Angeles Lakers during 1999 (the lockout season), and stayed as an assistant coach under Phil Jackson until this season. It was rumored that Rambis would be the coach-in-waiting, but he tired of waiting and took his shot at a head-coaching role. He’ll have his hands full in Minnesota, where he has a very young team that can be molded. There is a moderate level of talent on the roster, and Rambis just has to show that the team is headed in the right direction.
Minnesota Timberwolves odds maker breakdown: SEASON OUTLOOK
The Timberwolves haven’t made the playoffs for six straight years, so their NBA betting outlook for the title is laughable. Minnesota should be more concerned with changing the losing culture in their locker room, and that starts with Rambis, who has won eight champions as a player and assistant coach. Jefferson and Flynn have a possibility to be a great inside-outside duo, and Love adds size when he’s healthy. Rambis will also look to get their defensive problems sorted out, and they won’t win over 30 games, but the Timberwolves will at least be competitive this year.
For more sports betting previews for all 30 NBA teams, bookmark the betonline.com’s The Betting Edge for all your hoops betting needs. Craig Parsons is betonline.com's college basketball expert.
