Boston Celtics vs. Minnesota Timberwolves prediction, odds, TV channel
Boy, does the NBA have a COVID-19 problem on their hands or what? The Boston Celtics are lucky to still have their core intact right now with positive tests caused by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, but their opponent tonight is not so lucky.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are missing Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards as the trio continues to quarantine in the wake of their positive tests. In a season in which the Wolves were actually making headway in the Western Conference postseason picture–they still sit in the #9 seed, set for an NBA Play-in game at 15-17 if the season ended today–this latest Omicron surge has knocked them down several pegs.
Losers of their last two games, Minnesota will be desperate to avoid a third loss, but Vegas has little hopes in the guys remaining in the lineup, a ragtag group that includes Malik Beasley, Jake Layman, Jayden McDaniels, and Nathan Knight. Pat Beverley is questionable as of right now.
The ‘Jays’, Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, and co. have a chance to pick off a bare-bones squad before welcoming two top five Western Conference seeds to the TD Garden to cap off what has been a wholly unremarkable 2021 for the franchise.
Hardwood Houdini is here to dish out some holiday odds, TV channel info, and a prediction ahead of Monday night’s action:
Boston Celtics vs. Minnesota Timberwolves odds, spread, over/under
According to WynnBet, the Celtics are 9-point favorites against the Timberwolves on the road. Minnesota is a +325 underdog at home, with the Cs moneyline set at -425. The over/under for the game has been placed at 217 points.
Celtics vs. Timberwolves TV channel
You could catch this short-handed skirmish locally on NBC Sports Boston, Bally Sports North, Bally Sports Midwest, and Bally Sports Kansas City. You could also catch the action on NBA League Pass.
Celtics vs. Timberwolves prediction
Nothing about the 2021-22 Celtics indicate that the spread is worth plopping down green on when you’re laying nine points. Even with the TWolves star trio out, the Houdini can’t, in good faith, promise a blowout. This Cs team doesn’t win when they’re supposed to far too often, so winning big when they’re supposed to feels particularly unsafe.
Instead, we’ll lean towards an ugly game where both teams struggle to score and fire off an under pick.