Minnesota Timberwolves at Washington Wizards on Friday, January 8 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Timberwolves about a 78% chance, and the Wizards would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Timberwolves 78%, with a projected score of Minnesota Timberwolves 117, Washington Wizards 109. The rating gap is 317 points in favor of the Timberwolves, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Wizards on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 5 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Timberwolves are 2-0 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -1.4. The Wizards are 1-1 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -9.
The Timberwolves' best recent win was 131-106 on the road against MIA.
The Timberwolves were beaten 139-109 at home by SAS not long ago.
The Wizards were beaten 140-117 at home by MIA not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Donte DiVincenzo (MIN), expected back Apr 2, 2027, Tristan Vukcevic (WAS), expected back Nov 2, 2026, and Jamir Watkins (WAS), expected back Apr 2, 2027.
Day to day or questionable: AJ Dybantsa (WAS). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Timberwolves lead 3-1, with the Timberwolves outscoring the Wizards by an average of 12.2 points per game. The last meeting was MIN 141, WAS 115.