NBA 2021/22 on Sunday, 06.02.2021
The game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Detroit Pistons may not be the most exciting of the week, but it is one that makes for a promising NBA bet in my eyes. It was only a few days ago that the two teams met for the last time.
From this, my Timberwolves Pistons tip can draw some interesting conclusions that could result in a successful over-under bet. Especially if it actually turns out to be true that Cade Cunningham will be in the rematch.
The Timberwolves are one of the surprises of this season! With a record of 27-25, the dark blue could even sniff playoff air – especially if D’Angelo Russell gets healthy again soon.
Nevertheless, his Wolves played out some excellent results even without him. Only two of the last seven games were lost – and that only against the Warriors and Suns, the two best teams in the NBA.
One of the reasons why I picked this game has to do with the fact that the Timberwolves and the Pistons already met a few days ago and some interesting conclusions can be drawn from this with regard to tonight.
First things first: The Timberwolves won the direct duel with 128:117!
Now the Pistons could theoretically take revenge for their defeat. Because despite the exit, the perfect storm is brewing from the Bad Boys’ point of view.
First of all, Jerami Grant is finally fit again after half an eternity. Because against the Wolves, Detroit’s super talent made only his second game after his injury and still came up with 20 points.
However, Cade Cunningham is also indispensable for the bottom team. The No. 1 pick in last year’s draft has since jumped to No. 1 on the KIA Rookie Ladder and missed the game against the Wolves due to injury.
In the rematch, the Bad Boys’ giant talent will most likely be back in the mix and could alternate with Grant to unload the offensive power that the Pistons’ game lacked in their last meeting.
Still, I don’t expect the visitors to win the game. Because even in this scenario, the probability of winning would be 25% at most, in my opinion.
However, I am 95% sure that in this constellation there would be a high-scoring game in any case – which, unfortunately, would also only bring correspondingly meagre odds.
Nevertheless: The 245 points from the last duel were already above average. If Cunningham can also help out for the Pistons this time, then the score is practically doomed to soar again.
Moreover, as a friend of over/under bets, you can always rely on the Timberwolves’ firepower anyway. Especially since this comes into play when the opponent is one of the teams with the weakest play.
During the last ten NBA games alone, Minnesota has averaged a massive 122.1 per game, according to the official statistics. That’s by far the highest scoring output of any team in that time frame, eclipsing even the Suns at 118.3!
Whether American, French or German bookmakers – they all favour the Wolves as expected with odds averaging 1.14 – and not just because they already won a few days ago.
In fact, the home side’s squad is a little better than that of the Bad Boys. Accordingly, the Pistons, for their part, only enter the race as blatant underdogs with win odds of around 6.50.
Conclusion: A few days ago, basketball fans were treated to a 128-117 win over the Timberwolves. In the upcoming rematch at Target Center we can now assume a comparatively similar final result.
That’s because the Pistons get back Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, who could provide additional offensive momentum and a more balanced game. Meanwhile, the Wolves’ offense can always be counted on.
Minnesota has scored the most points of any NBA team over the last ten games. So I expect my other high-scoring game to be another clear Minnesota win on balance.
My Timberwolves Pistons tip is therefore, regardless of the outcome of the game: Win Timberwolves with handicap – 11.5!
