Total Takedown: Dallas at Minnesota
Team Totals. It is a simple bet, one with historical data to leverage and an easy rooting interest to understand. Here, Cal TT will take you through the game of the day using wit, readily available information, and vibes. I cannot stress this enough. Data and vibes are the backbone of a team total pick.
Do not fret friends, I was able to reach out to the French authorities about the elder abuse we witnessed yesterday at the hands of Sinner. While we only came up a game short, I knew we were in trouble when I turned on the broadcast and they were showing Jannik Sinner's new girlfriend in the crowd. The "hungry dog runs faster" does not work so well when the heavy favorite is showing out for a new babe. To make matters worse, we are dangerously close to .500, making tonight's game a can't-lose (less confident folks might call it a must-win). Let's head back to the hardwood for game five of the western conference finals.
Minnesota was able to hang on in Dallas Tuesday night and ensure they gave their fans one more trip to the Target Center. The T-Wolves are -4.5 point favorites at home, which is the exact average margin of victory in this series. However, the Mavs have had no trouble on the road this postseason (6-2). Derek Lively has been upgraded to questionable, and I imagine will give it a go tonight. How does the impressive road record and the return of their center impact the Timberwolves' current team total of 106.5 (-118)? Let's take a look.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are averaging 106.25 this series, 107.14 at home in the playoffs, and 108.75 overall this postseason. The data here feels good enough to consider the over, and Ant's return to form in game four, scoring 29 points and seeming to break out of the slump, provides the needed vibes to lock it in. I think the Timberwolves are not quite ready to let their season end, and if it does, they will fight until the end.
The Pick: Minnesota Team Total Over 106.5
Record: 9-8