Chicago Bulls at Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves are set to face off in their final regular-season game Sunday night in Minneapolis.
The Bulls are locked into the 6th seed in the East, while the Timberwolves are locked into the 7th seed and will host the Los Angeles Clippers during the play-in playoff game. The Bulls’ first-round opponent is still undecided but will be figured out by the end of tomorrow.
The Bulls could face Boston, Milwaukee, or Philadelphia in the first round because the #2 seed will most likely be matched up with Brooklyn.
As of recent, Chicago has not been playing up to expectations with a majority of their team back. The Bulls have lost four straight in blowout fashion and are all healthy besides Lonzo Ball.
Sunday, however, will give these Bulls a chance before the postseason. Players that are OUT tomorrow include Zach Lavine, Demar Derozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Alex Caruso.
The Timberwolves, on the other hand, have had a successful April thus far. Rookie Anthony Edwards is coming off a win against San Antonio, where he had 49 points on 16/28 shooting.
The Wolves are a scary matchup but draw a tough matchup in L.A., who is also a tough matchup for opposing teams. Minnesota is looking to end the season with a win at home despite not having Karl-Anthony Towns.
Minnesota has been playing some better ball recently after picking up road wins in Detroit and Houston. After losing to the Washington Wizards in blowout fashion, the Timberwolves made it a priority to step up defensively.
With everyone resting, this game means essentially nothing but will be entertaining to watch the rookies and bench play.
Battle of the Bench
The Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves square off in a game that has no playoff seeding implications Sunday night in Minneapolis at the Target Center.
Chicago has announced that they are resting their starters, but it is unclear whether more than just Karl-Anthony Towns will rest for Minnesota, who is locked in the #7 seed and will be hosting the Clippers during the play-in games.
It will be up to the Bulls bench of Coby White, Ayo, and others to help guide the team in Minnesota. The Timberwolves are currently -6.5 favorites at home.
Bulls Struggles against Top Teams
Throughout the entire season, it has always been a question if the Bulls could compete with the top teams, and the answer currently is no.
Chicago is now a whopping 2-20 against top 4 seeded teams in both conferences, which is not ideal heading into the playoffs. After being blown out four consecutive times, the Bulls will now rest their starters in an effort to get their energy back for the playoffs.
The Bulls are still without Lonzo Ball, one of the most dynamic point guards in the league. The Bulls and fans are hopeful of getting him back but would not be surprised if they do not see him the rest of the season.
After a much-needed rest this Sunday, the expectation is to have Chicago firing on all cylinders for the first time having playoff basketball in quite some time.
The best matchup for Chicago would be the Boston Celtics rather than Milwaukee or Philadelphia.
Young Timberwolves Finding Success
The Minnesota Timberwolves are having one of their best seasons in recent franchise history due to the play of KAT, Anthony Edwards, and D’Angelo Russell.
The big three of Minnesota have carried the offense for this team that averages just below 116 points per game. Edwards, the rookie out of Georgia, had a career-high 49 points against San Antonio Thursday, and if he plays, not a reason he can’t do it again.
Chicago’s defense during their four-game losing streak has been abysmal at best. Collectively it is some of the worst defense that can be exposed with players like Anthony Edwards.
Betting Prediction
Barring any injury/rest news before the game, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in a prime position to win this game and use it as a tuneup.
Without Demar, Lavine, Vucevic, and others, the Bulls are easily the worst team in the league playing Sunday. Even without KAT, the Timberwolves with Edwards and Russell will be enough to handle the Bulls and more Sunday night.
I expect another blowout in favor of Minnesota, which means the play of the night is the Minnesota Timberwolves -6.5 against the Chicago Bulls.
