Timberwolves vs Jazz Odds, Picks & Predictions | NBA Betting Preview (Saturday Mar. 16)

Timberwolves vs Jazz Odds, Picks & Predictions | NBA Betting Preview (Saturday Mar. 16) article feature image
Credit:

Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket while Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz defends in the third quarter at Target Center. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

  • Timberwolves vs Jazz odds have Minnesota as an 8.5-point favorite (-8.5), with the total set at 223.
  • Our Timberwolves vs Jazz pick and prediction is on the Jazz team total under.
  • Timberwolves vs Jazz starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass on Saturday. Here's our betting preview.

Timberwolves vs. Jazz Odds

Timberwolves Logo
Saturday, Mar 16
9:30pm ET
KJZZ
Jazz Logo
Timberwolves Odds
SpreadTotalMoneyline
-8.5
-110
223.5
-110o / -110u
-350
Jazz Odds
SpreadTotalMoneyline
+8.5
-110
223.5
-110o / -110u
+280
Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NBA odds here.
FanDuel Logo

Here's everything you need to know about Timberwolves vs. Jazz on Saturday, Mar. 16 — our expert prediction and betting picks for today's game.

One team's playing for something, and one…almost isn't?

And the one who isn't is on the second leg of a back-to-back – that's the Utah Jazz.

The other hasn't played since Tuesday, and they're fighting for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference — that's the Minnesota Timberwolves.

I have an idea of how this will go, but let's talk it out first.


Header First Logo

Minnesota Timberwolves

The metrics like the Timberwolves even at times when the eye test doesn't.

And for this particular setup, there's plenty to like given the hampered opponent.

The Wolves head into this game having lost four of seven and have split their last four road games. The Wolves also have a massive rest advantage — they're 11-7-1 with a rest advantage against the spread this season, 10th in the NBA heading into Friday night's slate. The extended rest, on the surface, hasn't been awesome for the T-Wolves who are just 5-6 ATS with two or three days off between games, ninth-worst in the NBA as of this writing.

The much-lauded T-Wolves defense will be the focus for this contest, with the Jazz on back-to-back legs. Minnesota has allowed a league-low 108.8 points per 100 possesions, nearly three points fewer than second place.

They've also hit overs on 12-of-21 games as a road favorite, giving them the 10th-most overs by percentage in this scenario. However, in 11 games with two to three days rest, they've hit seven of 11 unders, fourth-most in the NBA by percentage.

The Wolves will be without Karl-Anthony Towns (meniscus) for the game. Rudy Gobert (ribs), Monte Morris (hamstring) and Kyle Anderson (shoulder) are all questionable.

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Header First Logo

Utah Jazz

The Jazz, as home underdogs, are actually 13-7 against the spread, with the seventh-best cover rate in the NBA. As a home underdog, they've hit 11 overs in 20 contests, eight unders and a push. The percentage gives them the seventh-highest rate in the NBA hitting overs as a home dog.

With a rest disadvantage they're 6-7-1 against the spread, and they're 4-5-1 ATS with no rest — bottom half of the league in both.

As good as Minnesota profiles defensively, Utah is the opposite, allowing 120.8 points per 100 possessions, fourth-most in the league.

On the injury front, Lauri Markkanen (quadriceps), Jordan Clarkson (groin) and Kris Dunn (rest) did not play against the Hawks on Friday — all are questionable for Saturday as of this writing.


Header First Logo

Timberwolves vs. Jazz

Betting Pick & Prediction

The Jazz caught a nice win against the Hawks with a 124-122 effort on Saturday. I may lean the T-Wolves to cover, but the number is fairly large and the Jazz are actually solid ATS as a home dog. What I will take, however, is the Jazz's total team under 108.5 points at -120 on DraftKings as of this morning.

The well-rested T-Wolves defense should be able to clamp down on the Jazz's back-to-back legs, assuming they don't get a sudden boost with Lauri Markkanen returning. That's not exactly expected, we just don't know yet.

Pick: Jazz Team Total Under 108.5 | Lean Timberwolves -7.5 

About the Author
Bryan Fonseca is a contributor for The Action Network specializing in basketball and combat sports. He began betting in 2019 while hosting DraftKings Tonight on MSG Networks. Before joining Action in 2022, Fonseca worked as an on-air host and writer at various outlets, including FanDuel, BasketballNews.com, Futuro Media, SLAM and SB Nation. Currently, he's also a sports editor and on-air analyst for the New York Post, where he covers the NBA, boxing, international basketball, betting and more. 

Follow Bryan Fonseca @bryanfonsecany on Twitter/X.

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