Celtics vs Timberwolves Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 1/2/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- Jan 2
- 3 min read
BOSTON vs. MINNESOTA (BOS -3.5, 220.5)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
CELTICS @ TIMBERWOLVES 1/2/25
The Boston Celtics are set to embark on a challenging road trip. The kick off their four-game journey tonight as they battle the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis.
The Celtics are still riding high from their 54-point win over the Toronto Raptors on the last day of the year, a fitting end to a stellar 2024. As current NBA champions, the Celtics are looking to repeat their success as they gear up for 2025 and the second half of the regular season.
However, injuries could pose some difficulties during Thursday's game. Celtics' forward Jaylen Brown, who’s scored an average of 24.4 points to go with 6.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists over 28 games this season, is listed as questionable due to a strained right shoulder. Kristaps Porzingis is also listed as questionable due to a sprained left ankle. Porzingis averages 18.3 points and 6.4 rebounds over 11 games. He has missed the last three games due to his injury.
The Timberwolves also have their share of injuries, but none affect their core starters. Up-and-comer guard Rob Dillingham and reserve player Luka Garza will both be sitting out the game due to sprained ankles. Anthony Edwards, with an impressive average of 24.8 points per game, leads the Timberwolves. Julius Randle adds 19.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Timberwolves’ head coach Chris Finch is particularly concerned with sloppy handling of the ball, as evidenced by their 23 turnovers in their recent game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The TWolves ended up on the wrong side of a 113-105 decision.
On a brighter note, Jrue Holiday is back in the Celtics' lineup, following a three-game hiatus due to a shoulder injury. He managed to score 14 points in his return. He hit 4-of-5 from behind the three-point line.
Celtics’ head coach Joe Mazzulla has been pushing his team to step up their defensive game, an idea that appeals to Holiday. The Celtics gave up 123 points to the Pacers and 118 to Philadelphia in a pair of recent home losses.
Tonight’s game is the second and final regular season meet-up between the two teams, with the Celtics having won the first game 107-105. In that earlier game, Brown scored an impressive 29 points for Boston. Jayson Tatum followed with 26 points and eight rebounds, and Derrick White contributed 19 points and nine rebounds. For the Timberwolves, Edwards scored 28 points with nine rebounds and seven assists, Randle added 23 points, and Rudy Gobert had 10 points and 20 rebounds.
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COACH RICK FREE PICK:
DERRICK WHITE OVER 15.5 POINTS
White averages 16.8 points per game and he has cleared this prop in 4 of his last 5 games. The Celtics have played the TWolves once this season. In that game, White had 19 points. That’s the third time in five games that White has gone Over this number against Minnesota. White shoots 45.2 percent overall and 39.2 percent from behind the arc. He’s taken double-digit shots in 10 of 13 games this month. He’ll get his opportunities and go Over tonight.
