The Toronto Raptors (35-26) will visit the Minnesota Timberwolves (39-23) in the NBA on Thursday night. Tipoff from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota is set for 8:00 p.m. ET on FDSN and NBA League Pass.
The Wolves are 4.5-point favorites over the Raptors on the spread (Timberwolves -4.5), with the over/under set at 224.5 total points. Minnesota is a -210 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Toronto is +175 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Raptors vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, March 5.
Raptors vs Timberwolves Prediction
Raptors vs Timberwolves picks: Raptors +5.5 (-120) / Raptors Moneyline (+175)
My Timberwolves vs Raptors best bet is split between Toronto in the spread and moneyline markets. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Toronto Raptors vs Minnesota Timberwolves Odds
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 224.5 -110o / -110u | +175 |
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 224.5 -110o / -110u | -210 |
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Raptors vs Timberwolves NBA Thursday Preview
Brandon Ingram is listed as questionable for the Raptors tonight.
I do think he’s going to play because the market is starting to reflect that. The spread for this game opened around Timberwolves -6.5, and now we are seeing that number tick down to -4.5 at most sportsbooks.
I have this spread priced at Timberwolves -6.1 based on market ratings, and my model makes it -5.6.
Since the line is hovering around a key number, I think it’s worth buying into this spot for Toronto.
I really like the Raptors here, especially coming off a tough loss to the Knicks.
Ingram was outspoken in the postgame press conference, saying the Raptors are competing in these games but just need to finish.
On the other side, the Timberwolves are a team that can look like a top-tier contender one night and a Play-In team the next.
The Wolves are capable of playing some really bad basketball in stretches. This feels like a good buy-low spot on Toronto, both on the spread and the moneyline.
Raptors vs Timberwolves Picks, Betting Predictions
For as good as I think the Wolves are overall, my numbers aren’t high on Minnesota at home.
It’s tough because I generally don’t like to overweight home-court splits, but Minnesota has been bad at home this season.
The Timberwolves are 13-19 ATS at home with a -2.6 ATS differential. That’s significant.
It reminds me a bit of Denver — a team that should have a strong home-court advantage because of altitude, yet has underperformed there this year.
The question becomes whether that’s predictive going forward.
In Minnesota’s case, the home struggles have been consistent enough that I’m factoring them in.
The Wolves have been gross at home, and until the market fully adjusts, I’m comfortable backing Toronto in this spot — both on the moneyline and taking the points.
Raptors vs Timberwolves Best Bets
- Raptors +5.5 (-120)
- Raptors Moneyline (+175)
Raptors vs Timberwolves Betting Trends
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