Charlotte Hornets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Picks and Predictions March 5th 2025

Charlotte Hornets vs Minnesota Timberwolves March 5th 2025

The Minnesota Timberwolves (-356) are favored by 8.5 points over the Charlotte Hornets (+280) in this non-conference matchup. The over/under line is set at 223.5 points and tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 ET at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

Minnesota (34-29) is currently 7th in the Western Conference and has won two straight games. Charlotte (14-46) is 14th in the East and has lost seven in a row.

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Timberwolves vs. Hornets Key Information

The Timberwolves improved to 34-29 on the season with a 126-112 win over the 76ers on Tuesday. Playing at home, Minnesota entered the game as 13-point favorites and covered the spread. The total score of 238 points exceeded the O/U line of 223 by 15 points.

After leading 24-22 in the 1st quarter and 33-31 in the 2nd, Minnesota allowed the 76ers to edge them 27-26 in the 3rd. However, the Timberwolves pulled away in the 4th, outscoring Philadelphia 43-32 to seal the victory.

The Timberwolves shot 56.8% from the field and hit 18 threes at a 45% clip in their 126-112 win over the 76ers. Naz Reid led the way with 23 points, knocking down 5 threes, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 20 points on 72.7% shooting, also hitting 3 threes.

Alexander-Walker scored 13 of his 20 points in the 4th quarter, while Reid added 8 points in the final period. Anthony Edwards contributed 18 points, with 11 coming in the 2nd quarter.

Defensively, the Timberwolves gave up 112 points to the 76ers but managed to secure the win. Their best quarter was the 1st, where they allowed just 22 points. However, they had a rough 4th quarter, giving up 32 points.

On the perimeter, Minnesota did well, holding Philadelphia to just 9 made threes on 28% shooting. The Timberwolves also recorded 7 steals and 5 blocks in the game.

The Hornets fell to 14-46 on the season after a 119-101 home loss to the Warriors on Monday. Charlotte entered the game as +12.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total score of 220 points fell short of the O/U line of 229.5.

Charlotte made an 11-0 run early, briefly taking the lead, but the Warriors regained control and led 58-49 at halftime. The Hornets kept pace in the 3rd quarter, matching Golden State 28-28, but were outscored 33-24 in the 4th.

In their 119-101 loss to the Warriors, the Hornets shot just 39.5% from the field and 27.5% from three-point range, making 11 threes overall. Miles Bridges led the way with 35 points, hitting 4 threes at a 44.4% clip, and added 9 rebounds.

LaMelo Ball also made 4 threes, finishing with 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. Bridges scored 15 points in the 2nd quarter and added 14 more in the 4th, while Ball put up 14 points in the 3rd.

Defensively, the Hornets allowed 119 points to the Warriors, giving up 28 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters, 30 in the 2nd, and 33 in the 4th. Golden State shot 42% from the field.

Charlotte struggled to contain the Warriors from beyond the arc, allowing 18 threes on 36% shooting. They also sent Golden State to the line 24 times, where they hit 21 free throws. The Hornets recorded 3 steals and 6 blocks.

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Timberwolves to secure the win, with an expected final score of 129-112. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -8.5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 223.5, and our model predicts the Timberwolves and Hornets to score a combined 241 points. We recommend betting on the over.

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Wolves Aim to Avoid Slipup vs. Lowly Hornets

The Minnesota Timberwolves know the importance of handling business against struggling teams, and they’ll have that opportunity when they visit the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.

Timberwolves Looking to Stay on Track

Minnesota is coming off a strong fourth-quarter performance in a 126-112 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. The win came during a brief home stop following a four-game road trip, and now the Timberwolves hit the road again for two more games this week.

Despite the victory, head coach Chris Finch stressed the need for discipline, especially after his team committed 19 turnovers that led to 21 points for Philadelphia.

“We can’t go back to that type of basketball,” Finch warned.

The Timberwolves caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting 18 three-pointers. Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker combined for seven of those off the bench. DiVincenzo, playing in his fourth game after missing 19 straight due to a toe injury, contributed 12 points and eight assists.

“I think his shot is going in because we’re finding him for wide-open ones,” Finch said. “His activity on defense has been great. You’d never know he had six weeks off.”

Minnesota has now won back-to-back games after a stretch in which it lost six of eight. Each of its last five defeats came by single digits, showing how close the team has been to turning things around.

Hornets Searching for a Breakthrough

Charlotte is reeling from a seven-game losing streak and has struggled to stay competitive. Guard Nick Smith Jr. acknowledged the team’s inconsistent starts have been a problem.

“Some games, we come out not ready to play. Sometimes we come out a half not ready to play,” Smith said. “We just got to stick to the game plan and continue to play hard.”

The Hornets dropped a 119-101 decision to the Golden State Warriors on Monday despite an impressive 35-point performance from Miles Bridges. Center Mark Williams also had a solid showing with 12 points and 13 rebounds, but head coach Charles Lee wants to see more consistency from the young big man.

“Number one, just the consistency of it,” Lee said. “He has put up really good numbers. He has done that throughout the year, but I want to see him consistently at that level.”

The Hornets have been digging deep into their rotation, with rookie Damion Baugh logging 28 minutes off the bench Monday, contributing six points and six assists while bringing much-needed energy.

Minnesota previously defeated Charlotte 114-93 on Nov. 4, led by Naz Reid’s 25-point outing. LaMelo Ball scored 19 points for the Hornets in that matchup.

Both teams could be shorthanded in the frontcourt for this meeting. Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has been out since Feb. 12 with a lower back issue but could return. Charlotte’s Taj Gibson missed Monday’s game due to illness and is listed as probable for Wednesday.

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