The 2023-24 NBA season returned to action on Thursday night, but there is a massive game on the schedule on Friday. This game will feature the Milwaukee Bucks visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves, and this has the potential to be an NBA Finals preview.
Milwaukee has gone just 3-7 since the hiring of Doc Rivers as their new head coach, and they have been tumbling down the standings in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks still have a ton of talent, but at some point this team is going to have to turn things around in a big way.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have built up a 1.5-game lead in the Western Conference, and they are looking to stay on top of that conference. Minnesota won four games prior to the All Star Break, and they will be looking to stay red-hot once the action resumes.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are coming into this game as a 4.5-point betting favorite over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.
Bucks Can Really Score
The Milwaukee Bucks are scoring over 120 points per game this season, and they have the ability to light up the scoreboard. Milwaukee has been able to score points during this run, but they just haven’t been able to get stops on the other end of the floor.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is leading the way with 30.8 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, and he is going to have to set the tone in this matchup. Damian Lillard just recently won All Star Game MVP and he should have a big game in this one as well.
Head coach Doc Rivers is someone that consistently preaches defense, but his new team just hasn’t bought into what he is trying to sell at this point of the season.
Minnesota Making Big Plays
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been a great offensive team this season as well, but they can also get some stops on the defensive end of the floor. Minnesota is comfortable pushing the tempo in this one, but they can also make some big plays in the half court.
Anthony Edwards is scoring over 26 points per game this season for the Timberwolves, and Mike Conley is dishing out 6.4 assists per game. Those two players keep pressure on opposing teams, but Karl-Anthony Towns can also set the tone.
Center Rudy Gobert will need to set the tone in this matchup, and he is someone that can shut down the lane for opposing teams.
Timberwolves Take Care of Business
The Milwaukee Bucks are going to figure some things out at some point, but they just haven’t been able to find a way to consistently get some stops. Facing a really good Minnesota team is going to create some massive issues, and the Bucks will give up too many points.
Minnesota has the ability to score both inside and out, and that has turned them into a very dangerous team so far this season. There is some concern about this team showing some rust, but it won’t take long to brush it off.
Bet the Minnesota Timberwolves -4.5 as they are going to roll to another big win by simply outscoring the Milwaukee Bucks in this game.
