Boston Celtics vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves -2

Game Total – 216.5

Players to Watch

Kyrie Irving – Irving is the Celtics leading scorer, averaging 22.3 points per game with 6.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds.  He has scored 20+ points in six of the teams last eight games. The Timberwolves struggle to defend the guard position with both Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose posting defensive ratings of 110 and 107 respectively.

Jayson Tatum - The Timberwolves are allowing the most fantasy points to opposing forwards this season and while this isn’t a DFS contest those numbers will translate to Tatum’s overall production.  He is the Celtics second leading scorer and has gone for 20+ points in two straight games.

Marcus Morris – Morris should be in the starting lineup tonight but even if he comes off the bench his role in the Celtics rotation is secure.  He plays strong defense and is tied for the team lead in rebounds per game. Morris has scored at least 13 points in four of the last five games.

Karl-Anthony Towns – Towns has been a monster this season, averaging 20.6 points, 12.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.  Towns has notched three straight double-doubles and has scored 20+ points in four of the last five games.

Robert Covington – Covington has scored 20+ points in two straight games while notching two-plus blocks in three straight and two-plus steals in four of the last five.  The Timberwolves play their starters for the majority of the game and Covington can really fill up the box score.

Pre Game Props

1) The last made shot of the 1st Quarter is a 3 pointer (We'll leave this open until the 1:00 mark) – Yes - 4.6/ No - 1.6

The Celtics take a lot of three-pointers, ranking third in three-point attempts per game.  Minnesota however ranks 18th in three-point attempts per game.  I am going to go with a YES just for the 4.6x multiplier and say the Celtics make a three-pointer to end the quarter.

2) Either team scores 23 or FEWER points in the 1st Quarter – Yes - 3.3/ No - 2.1

I am going with a YES here and say the Timberwolves score fewer than 23 points in the first quarter.  The Celtics have been going with a more defensive oriented starting five with Marcus Smart and Marcus Morris being moved into the starting lineup.

3) K. Irving (BOS) scores 8 or more points or records 3 or more assists in the 1st Quarter – Yes - 2.5/ No - 2.5

This is a no brainer – Irving is going to get off to a fast start and the Timberwolves struggle to defend opposing point guards this season.

4) Either team makes 2 or more FG's by the 11:15 mark – Yes - 3.9/ No - 1.8

I am going with a NO for this one. I think both teams will trade missed baskets within the start of this game.

5) Either team makes their first 3-point FG attempt of the 1st Quarter – Yes - 2.4/ No - 2.7

I am going to go with a NO for this one.  Though the Celtics attempt a lot of three-pointers, they are only shooting 35% from the three-point range.

6) MIN wins the opening tip-off – Yes - 2.0/ No - 3.5

I am going with a YES here. Boston rarely wins opening tips and Towns should have the advantage over Horford here.