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Timberwolves vs. Bucks NBA expert prediction and odds for Thursday, Feb. 8 (Back the Bucks at home)

NBA betting preview, prediction and best bet for Timberwolves-Bucks. 

By Shelby Dermer

Feb 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates during the game.
Feb 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates during the game. / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are still locked in a three-way tie with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets for first place in the Western Conference. Minnesota is now an underdog for just the fourth time since the calendar flipped to 2024 when they visit Fiserv Forum on Thursday. The Timberwolves are coming off an overtime loss to Chicago.

Milwaukee is still struggling to find its footing under new head coach Doc Rivers. The Bucks are just 1-4 in five games with Rivers on the bench, but just finished a brutal road trip after a 114-106 loss to Phoenix on Tuesday. 

Here’s the betting preview for Thursday’s matchup with a best bet. 

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Timberwolves vs. Bucks odds, spread and total

Timberwolves vs. Bucks how to watch

  • Date: Thursday, Feb. 8
  • Game time: 7 p.m. EST
  • Venue: Fiserv Forum
  • How to watch (TV): Bally Sports
  • Timberwolves record: 35-16
  • Bucks record: 33-18

Timberwolves vs. Bucks injury reports

Minnesota Timberwolves

  • Monte Morris (recently traded): day-to-day

Milwaukee Bucks

  • Cam Payne (knee): probable
  • Khris Middleton (ankle): out
  • Jay Crowder (ankle): probable
  • Brook Lopez (personal): probable
  • Damian Lillard (ankle): questionable
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee): probable 

Timberwolves vs. Bucks key players to watch

Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards: Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, continues to dominate on the offensive end. Edwards is 13th in the NBA in scoring at 25.9 points per game and has scored 30-plus in three consecutive contests. Edwards turned in a 38-point, 12-rebound double-double in Tuesday’s overtime loss to Chicago and is shooting 44% from 3-point range in February. 

Bucks

Malik Beasley: With Damian Lillard out for Sunday’s loss to Phoenix, Beasley picked up the slack on the offensive end with his first 20-point performance in three weeks. Beasley finished with 22, knocking down six 3-pointers to go with four rebounds. Beasley is averaging 11.4 points per game and has hit at least three triples in three consecutive games. 

Timberwolves vs. Bucks prediction and pick

These two teams will see each other twice in the next two weeks in a key matchup between two of the league’s top teams. There’s a great showdown in this game, especially near the rim, with Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert against Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. 

Antetokounmpo and Lopez are both expected to be good to go on Thursday in a matchup where Minnesota’s defense has to slow down Milwaukee’s high-scoring offense. Minnesota is No. 1 in the NBA in defensive rating and scoring. Milwaukee is No. 4 in offensive rating and ranks second in the NBA in scoring at home (125.9 points per game). 

The over is 17-9 in Milwaukee home games this season, but the Bucks are in for a battle against a Minnesota defense that is No. 1 in opponent shooting percentage (44.8%). Milwaukee is happy to be home after a tough road stretch and you're getting them at a discount in this spot. The Bucks should get it done as short favorites against a Minnesota team that might be No. 1 in the Western Conference but have played .500 ball (4-4) over the last two weeks. 

Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.

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