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Timberwolves vs Knicks Predictions, Odds & Player Props for Jan. 17

Chris Amberley

By Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball

Published:


Karl-Anthony Towns is guarded by Julius Randle.
Dec 19, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) works around Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
  • The New York Knicks are 5-point favorites over the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight
  • Karl-Anthony Towns (thumb) is questionable
  • Check out the Timberwolves vs Knicks predictions, odds and player props, below

The Minnesota Timberwolves (21-19, 11-10 away) travel to New York tonight to take on the Knicks (27-15, 13-7 home). These two teams were involved in one of the biggest trades of the offseason, but key members of that deal may be forced to sit this one out. Minnesota has been one of the most frustrating teams of the season so far, and online sportsbooks are expecting that trend to continue per tonight’s NBA betting lines. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30pm ET from Madison Square Garden, in New York, NY.

Timberwolves vs Knicks Odds

Teams Spread Moneyline Total
Minnesota Timberwolves +5 (-110) +166 O 218 (-110)
New York Knicks -5 (-110) -198 U 218 (-110)

New York is currently favored by 5-points in a contest with a total of 218. The spread has moved a point and a half in the Knicks’ favor since opening lines were released, while the over/under is down 1.5 points to 218.

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Odds as of January 17 at BetMGM. Be sure to check out the best BetMGM promo code before placing a bet on any NBA game tonight.

On the moneyline, the Knicks are -198 home favorites with the Timberwolves coming back as +166 road underdogs. Minnesota is 3-2 ATS and 2-3 SU as a road underdogs this season. New York is 13-6 SU as a home favorite but just 10-8-1 ATS.

Timberwolves vs Knicks Prediction

  • New York Knicks -5 (-110)

Both teams could be down key contributors for this matchup. Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns, the focal point of the offseason trade between these two, is questionable with a thumb injury.

Towns suffered the injury on Monday in Detroit, and sat out Wednesday’s win at Philly. This was supposed to be the first meeting between him and his former team in New York, after he torched them in his return to Minny.

Towns went for 32 points and 20 boards that night, en route to a blowout victory. He’s averaging 25.4 points per game, his most since 2019-20, and has a double-double in all but four of his 38 starts this season.

His impressive play has vaulted him into a top-eight NBA MVP odds contender, right beside teammate Jalen Brunson. The duo has helped propel New York to number two in offensive rating, with the second highest true shooting percentage of any team in the NBA.

On paper, you’d expect a Timberwolves roster loaded with talent to be rated highly offensively as well. But that hasn’t been the case. Minnesota is 17th in offensive rating, and has eight fewer wins than at this time last year.

The transition from Towns to Julius Randle has not gone as smoothly as planned. Randle is averaging 5 less points than a season ago, and 2 fewer rebounds. He isn’t getting to the line as often, and he’s in danger of averaging less than 20 points for the first time in five seasons.

Superstar Anthony Edwards has lived up to his billing, and his improved efficiency from long range has been key to keeping Minny’s offense afloat. Another reason they’ve been able to stay competitive, is the play of their defense.

The Timberwolves are top-7 in defensive rating, and fourth in scoring defense. That end of the floor will be key tonight, as this Knicks offense is humming, with or without KAT.

One Minnesota defender who won’t be in the lineup is Donte DiVincenzo. The former Knick is out with a toe injury. DiVincenzo owns one of the highest defensive win shares on the team, and was just recently promoted to the starting lineup.

If Towns was already cleared, betting on the Knicks in this spot would be a slam dunk. They’re a much more efficient offense, while the T-Wolves are still looking for consistency. Minnesota is also at a travel disadvantage after flying all over the country in the past two weeks.

New York on the other hand, has played five of its last six at home, with the lone exception being a short trip to Philadelphia.

Timberwolves vs Knicks Player Props

  • Karl-Anthony Towns Over 15.5 Rebounds and Assists

Switching over to the NBA props market, where we’ve got a bet that’s contingent on Towns playing. He’s averaged 19 rebounds and assists per game this month, and hit 26 in his first meeting with the T-Wolves.

Towns saw 39 rebound + assist opportunities in that matchup, and if he logs his normal complement of minutes, this will cash with ease. In the 15 games he’s played at least 35 minutes this season, he’s cleared 15 rebounds+assists each time.

Chris Amberley
Chris Amberley

Sports Writer

As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.

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