Timberwolves Loose the Pack Leader – Toronto at Minnesota

The Toronto Raptors (19-34 SU, 19-32-2 ATS, 30-23 O/U) have dropped six straight games in the BetOnline Sportsbook.

The Minnesota Timberwolves (17-33 SU, 24-25-1 ATS, 26-23-1 O/U) have lost three consecutive games of their own, but more importantly, lost team scoring leader Al Jefferson to a torn ACL the last time they took the court.

The Raptors lost their sixth straight game in a 78-70 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, failing to cover the spread as a pick’em while the 148 combined points fell well UNDER the posted O/U total of 199.

Point guard Jose Calderon scored a game-high 18 points in a losing effort as Chris Bosh sat out and center Jermaine O’Neal scored just six points on 2-for-9 shooting from the field.

The Timberwolves lost to the New Orleans Hornets 101-97 as a 2.5-point road underdog on Sunday while the combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (190.5).

Jefferson led the Timberwolves with 25 points and 14 rebounds, while Ryan Gomes added 21 points. Jefferson had to be helped off the court inside the final 30 seconds after landing awkwardly on his right leg after attempting to block a dunk attempt and is lost for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.

Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks.

Toronto is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota

Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota

Toronto is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota

The total has gone OVER in 10 of Minnesota’s last 12 games at home

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota’s last 8 games when playing Toronto

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 6 games

NBA Odds

Toronto Raptors -3 -110

Minnesota Timberwolves +3 -110

Over 192½ -110

Under 192½ -110

Analysis: I’m going to ‘keep it real’ for my beloved BetOnline NBA sports betting backers by saying that, if the Toronto Raptors can’t beat the mediocre Timberwolves without Al Jefferson, I’ll be looking to wager against them in almost every contest for the remainder of the regular season.

I say take the Raptors to cover the spread in a narrow win over a Timberwolves team that has to be deflated by the loss of its best player.

NBA Free Picks: Toronto -3 Points/Over 192½ Total Points