A team’s final preseason game feels more like a nuisance than another exhibition contest. With it being a final hurdle before we reach the games that actually matter, you want nothing more than to swiftly pass it. For the Brooklyn Nets, that hurdle lies in the twin cities.
Tonight, Brooklyn will clash with the new-look Minnesota Timberwolves in their final go-around before the regular season. With Rudy Gobert now playing beside Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and old friend D’Angelo Russell, the Wolves look primed for a competitive season just like our Nets.
With both teams hoping to just “get through” this one, they might not throw their hardest punches. Regardless, the game still offers Brooklyn its first look at this new threat hailing from the West.
Brooklyn Nets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Odds, Moneyline, Over/Under
The Nets come into this one as the underdogs by a +2.5 point spread. Their moneyline odds are at +115 and the game’s over/under currently sits at 230.0 points.
Oddsmakers expect this one to be a close, yet high-scoring matchup. That feels fair given the offensive firepower both teams possess with their typical starting fives.
However, the Nets possess a better bench than the Wolves, who just gutted their depth to land Gobert this offseason. It would make sense for the starters to play a bit less with this being a preseason finale — that gives Brooklyn the advantage and a solid chance to cover this marginal spread.
Brooklyn Nets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Lineups
For the first time in this preseason, Brooklyn’s starters played well together last time out vs the Bucks. That takes away even more incentive for the team to put their prized gems at risk once again. Check back for updates, but at this point, expect to see the younger guys first tonight.
Brooklyn Nets Starting Five:
- PG: Chris Chiozza
- SG: Cam Thomas
- SF: David Duke Jr.
- PF: Kessler Edwards
- C: Day’Ron Sharpe
Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Five:
- PG: Austin Rivers
- SG: Bryn Forbes
- SF: Kyle Anderson
- PF: Karl Anthony Towns
- C: Rudy Gobert
Brooklyn Nets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
As noted earlier, Brooklyn’s depth grants them an advantage over Minnesota if each team indeed rests their best players for most of the game. Day’Ron Sharpe and Cam Thomas looked especially good against the Bucks the other night. Watch for them to continue their success with greater run time as Brooklyn earns a final preseason win and covers.
Prediction: Brooklyn Nets 109, Minnesota Timberwolves 99
Brooklyn Nets Up Next
As noted beforehand, the big takeaway from this game should be that everything after it actually counts. Next week, Brooklyn will head back home to the Barclays Center and battle the New Orleans Pelicans.
Like the Timberwolves, the Pels resemble an up-and-coming team out West looking to make some noise. Zion Williamson’s return to the floor promises to make it an exciting event on top of all the season tipoff buzz.