Karl-Anthony Towns returns to Minnesota tonight when the Timberwolves host the New York Knicks.
The pregame narrative: With two strong defensive-minded coaches squaring off, I expect a low-scoring game in Minneapolis. I also have plays on Jaden McDaniels and Karl-Anthony Towns to close out this +400 ticket.
Check out my Knicks vs. Timberwolves same-game parlay predictions for Dec. 19.
Knicks vs. Timberwolves predictions
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Parlay: Under 222.5 points + McDaniels over 10.5 points + Towns under 13.5 rebounds (+400)
Under 222.5 (-265): A chess match is brewing between Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.
Thibodeau, notorious for his defensive intensity, will be tested against one of the best teams in the NBA.
Last year’s Western Conference finalists have the third-best home defensive rating (103.7). The Knicks have been a middle-of-the-road defensive team, but something tells me they’ll play up to their competition in a matchup of this magnitude.
Both teams are bottom-10 in the league in pace; I anticipate both sides to have strong offensive possessions but by no means rushed ones.
The Timberwolves have the second-highest unders rate this season (56.0%), and even higher when they play at home (58.3%).
The under has cashed seven times in the last 10 meetings between these teams.
SGP legs
McDaniels over 10.5 points (-114): After a slow start to the campaign, McDaniels is starting to find his offensive groove.
He reached double-digit points in just three of the first 10 games of the season. He’s hit the double-digit mark four times in his past five games.
Mostly known for his defensive ability, the former first-round pick draws a favourable matchup against this Knicks squad.
New York allows the third-most points to opposing small forwards (24.3), per Betting Pros.
All-defensive second-team member OG Anunoby will likely have the assignment of guarding T-Wolves leading scorer Anthony Edwards.
That will leave McDaniels with either Mikal Bridges or Josh Hart, two players lacking the defensive prowess Anunoby possesses.
Towns under 13.5 rebounds (-134): I will admit, Towns is on a generational rebounding run at the start of his tenure with the Knicks.
At 29-years-old he’s averaging the most boards in his career (13.9), which also leads the league.
Outside of Towns, the Knicks have struggled on the glass this season — they rank 25th in rebounds per game (42.4).
Minnesota allows the third-fewest rebounds to opposing teams’ centres (13.15), and Towns should split some minutes with Precious Achiuwa coming off the bench.
This is the perfect spot to take the under on an already fairly high total to begin with.
Towns will also have to battle on the boards with four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, which is never an easy task.
Picks made at 11:45 a.m. on 12/19/2024.
