The Boston Celtics (24-9) travel to face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-15) on Thursday, January 2nd. This game will be played at Target Center in Minneapolis and televised on TNT. The Celtics are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Timberwolves are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Timberwolves. Tip-off is set for 7:30 ET.

Celtics vs Timberwolves

The Celtics Are Coming Off A Win

Boston improved to 24-9 with a dominant 125-71 win over Toronto on Tuesday. Playing at home, the Celtics were favored by 17 points and easily covered the spread. The total points for the game were 196, well below the O/U line of 232.

Boston’s defense set the tone early, holding the Raptors to 12 points in the 1st quarter. After a closer 2nd quarter, the Celtics went on a 13-0 run, stretching the score from 66-48 to 79-48. They then outscored Toronto 45-18 in the 3rd and 35-18 in the 4th to close out the game.

The Timberwolves Are Coming Off A Win

The Timberwolves dropped to 17-15 on the season after a 113-105 road loss to the Thunder on Tuesday. Minnesota was +7 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread, losing by eight. The game’s total points just went over the 216.5 line, finishing at 218.

Minnesota led 52-46 at halftime but allowed a 13-0 Thunder run, turning the game from 65-55 to 68-65. The Timberwolves were outscored 43-23 in the 3rd quarter and entered the 4th down 89-75. They won the final quarter 30-24 but couldn’t complete the comeback.

Celtics Offense Breakdown

In their 125-71 win over the Raptors, the Celtics shot 54% from the field and hit 22 threes at a 51.2% clip. Jayson Tatum led the way with 23 points, 18 of which came in the 3rd quarter.

Payton Pritchard added 19 points, knocking down 5 threes at 62.5%, while Derrick White contributed 16 points, hitting all 3 of his attempts from deep. White scored 10 of his points in the opening quarter.

Timberwolves Offense Breakdown

In their 113-105 loss to the Thunder, the Timberwolves connected on 15 threes, shooting 39.5% from deep and 49.4% overall. Anthony Edwards led the way with 20 points, hitting 4 threes at 57.1%, while Naz Reid added 19 points, and Mike Conley contributed 16, also making 4 threes at 57.1%.

Edwards scored 13 of his 20 points in the 2nd quarter, while Reid added 11 of his 19 in the 4th. Conley chipped in 9 points in the 3rd, and Julius Randle scored 7 of his 11 points in the opening quarter.

Celtics Team Defense

The Celtics’ defense was dominant against the Raptors, allowing just 71 points in their win. They held Toronto to 12 points in the 1st quarter and 23 in the 2nd, then gave up just 18 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Boston limited the Raptors to 31% shooting from the field, including 25% from three-point range, with Toronto making just 10 threes. The Celtics also sent the Raptors to the line 11 times, where they made 7 free throws. Defensively, Boston recorded 14 steals and 7 blocks.

Timberwolves Team Defense

The Celtics put on a defensive clinic against the Raptors, holding them to just 71 points. Boston set the tone early, allowing only 12 points in the 1st quarter and continued their strong play throughout, giving up just 23 in the 2nd and 18 in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Boston’s defense limited Toronto to 31% shooting, including 25% from beyond the arc, where the Raptors made just 10 threes. The Celtics also sent Toronto to the line only 11 times, where they made 7 free throws. Boston finished with 14 steals and 7 blocks.

Celtics vs Timberwolves Trends

• When looking at their past ten road matchups, Boston has an ATS record of 4-6 while averaging 118 per game. The team went 8-2 overall in these games.
• Minnesota has played well in their previous three home games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 107 points per game while allowing 108. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
• Through their last three games as the underdog, the Timberwolves have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 2-1.
• Through their last three games as the favorite, the Celtics have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 2-1.

Celtics vs Timberwolves Prediction

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Celtics to secure the win, with an expected final score of 141-121. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -4.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 219.5 and our model has the Celtics and Timberwolves finishing with a combined 262 points. Our pick is to take the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.