PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* TOTAL MASSACRE >> Off 2-0 NBA Sweep Sunday!
(NBA) Portland vs. Minnesota,
Total: 212.50 | -110.00 Under
Result: Push
Total: 212.50 | -110.00 Under
Result: Push
The set-up: The 28-34 Denver Nuggets currently own the No. 8 seed in the West but five teams are in hot pursuit, including the 26-35 Portland Trail Blazers, who will visit the 25-37 Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night at Target Center.
Portland: The Blazers just swept a two-game homestand, putting Portland 1 1/2 behind the Nuggets but 1 1/2 games ahead of Minnesota. However, Portland is just 10-22 on the road this season and tonight's contest opens a stretch in which the Blazers will play seven of their next nine games on the road. Portland has been led all season long by the superb backcourt duo of Lillard (26.0-5.0-5.9) and McCollum (23.3) but have yearned from help from the rest of its roster. Maybe Portland has found an answer to that problem. When the Blazers shipped Mason Plumlee to Denver for the little-known 7-0 Jusef Nurjic, it seemed as if they were waving the white fag to their playoff hopes. However, Nurjic has averaged 14.5 PPG and 8.2 RPG in six games (averaging just under 30 minutes) with Portland and wouldn't it be ironic if he becomes the reason Denver doesn't make the playoffs and Portland does?
Minnesota: Most believe the T-wolves have been one of this yerr's biggest underachievers, as by bringing in head coach Tom Thibodeau, most felt that the T-wolves would certainly be a .500 team, or better. Antony-Towns (24.0 & 12.3) and Wiggins (23.3 & 4.1) are terrific players plus few teams wouldn't want LaVine (18.9) on their roster. The 6-11 Dieng (10.1 & 7.9), SF Muhammad (9.4) and PG Rubio (9.1 & 8.7 APG) are also solid contributors. The T-wolves are coming around, as Minnesota is 5-3 in its last eight games, with all three losses coming to 40-win powers Cleveland, Houston and San Antonio, two by single digits. The question is, is it too late?
The pick: Not sure I have the answer to that question but if Minnesota is to have any shot at that 8th playoff spot, beating a tean like Portland, which is 10-22 (11-21 ATS) on the road, is a must. Portland allows 112.1 PPG on the raod and that's the key to my 10* play on the Over.
Portland: The Blazers just swept a two-game homestand, putting Portland 1 1/2 behind the Nuggets but 1 1/2 games ahead of Minnesota. However, Portland is just 10-22 on the road this season and tonight's contest opens a stretch in which the Blazers will play seven of their next nine games on the road. Portland has been led all season long by the superb backcourt duo of Lillard (26.0-5.0-5.9) and McCollum (23.3) but have yearned from help from the rest of its roster. Maybe Portland has found an answer to that problem. When the Blazers shipped Mason Plumlee to Denver for the little-known 7-0 Jusef Nurjic, it seemed as if they were waving the white fag to their playoff hopes. However, Nurjic has averaged 14.5 PPG and 8.2 RPG in six games (averaging just under 30 minutes) with Portland and wouldn't it be ironic if he becomes the reason Denver doesn't make the playoffs and Portland does?
Minnesota: Most believe the T-wolves have been one of this yerr's biggest underachievers, as by bringing in head coach Tom Thibodeau, most felt that the T-wolves would certainly be a .500 team, or better. Antony-Towns (24.0 & 12.3) and Wiggins (23.3 & 4.1) are terrific players plus few teams wouldn't want LaVine (18.9) on their roster. The 6-11 Dieng (10.1 & 7.9), SF Muhammad (9.4) and PG Rubio (9.1 & 8.7 APG) are also solid contributors. The T-wolves are coming around, as Minnesota is 5-3 in its last eight games, with all three losses coming to 40-win powers Cleveland, Houston and San Antonio, two by single digits. The question is, is it too late?
The pick: Not sure I have the answer to that question but if Minnesota is to have any shot at that 8th playoff spot, beating a tean like Portland, which is 10-22 (11-21 ATS) on the road, is a must. Portland allows 112.1 PPG on the raod and that's the key to my 10* play on the Over.
