Minnesota Timberwolves vs Atlanta Hawks Picks and Predictions February 9th 2026

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The Minnesota Timberwolves look to arrest a late-winter slide tonight at the Target Center as they host the Atlanta Hawks at 8:00 PM. Minnesota has dropped three of its last four games, including a lopsided 115-96 home loss to the Clippers yesterday. Now sitting at 32-22 and holding the 6th seed in the Western Conference, the Timberwolves are desperate for a win to stabilize their locker room before the All-Star break. Atlanta arrives with a 26-28 record, currently 9th in the East, following a high-scoring 126-119 loss to Charlotte on Saturday.

This is the second meeting between these clubs, with Atlanta having dominated the first matchup 126-102 back in December. While Minnesota is back on home court, they are playing the second leg of a back-to-back set on short rest. Atlanta has played reasonably well on the road this season with a 16-13 away record and will look to exploit a Timberwolves offense that struggled to find any rhythm on Sunday afternoon.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Atlanta Hawks Odds

Lines for this non-conference clash have remained relatively steady since opening, though the Timberwolves are seeing a slight discount on the spread due to their recent poor form. Bettors should keep a close eye on the latest NBA odds to see if the public starts backing the road underdog as tip-off approaches.

TeamMoneylineSpreadTotal
Atlanta Hawks+203+6.5 (-111)O 237.5 (-110)
Minnesota Timberwolves-245-6.5 (-110)U 237.5 (-110)
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2026-02-09 19:40
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Milwaukee Bucks
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Orlando Magic
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2026-02-09 20:10
Open
Atlanta Hawks
6 PICKS
Minnesota Timberwolves
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Atlanta Hawks Betting Form

The Hawks possess one of the most explosive offenses in the league, ranking 8th in scoring at 117.5 points per game. Their strategy is built on volume and pace, as they currently sit 4th in the NBA in possessions per game. Jalen Johnson has been the catalyst for this surge, coming off a near triple-double performance against the Hornets. Atlanta’s ability to space the floor is elite; they rank 5th in three-point percentage (37.2%) and often force opponents into high-scoring shootouts that favor their depth.

Defensively, Atlanta remains a work in progress, allowing 118.4 points per contest. However, they are starting to get healthy at the right time. Onyeka Okongwu is back in the rotation to provide much-needed rim protection, though the Atlanta Hawks injury report does list Dyson Daniels as questionable with ankle inflammation. If Daniels can’t go, it places more pressure on Nickeil Alexander-Walker to handle point-of-attack defensive duties against Anthony Edwards. For a deeper dive into their recent ATS trends, check the Atlanta Hawks stats and results.

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Form

The vibes in Minneapolis are currently at a season low. Rudy Gobert recently questioned the team’s defensive intensity, leading to a public rebuttal from coach Chris Finch. While Anthony Edwards continues to put up All-Star numbers (29.8 PPG), the supporting cast has been inconsistent. The Timberwolves rank 5th in scoring but have looked stagnant lately, particularly in their 96-point dud against the Clippers. They need Julius Randle to be more assertive as a secondary playmaker to relieve the pressure on Edwards.

On the defensive end, Minnesota is still a top-tier unit, holding opponents to 114.8 points per game, but they’ve lacked the “connectivity” Finch has been preaching. Fatigue might be a factor tonight, as they are playing their third game in four nights. The Minnesota Timberwolves injury report shows rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. is still out with a foot injury, but they have cleared Julian Phillips to make his debut, which could provide some fresh legs for a tired rotation. You can find more on their home-court performance at the Minnesota Timberwolves schedule and stats page.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Atlanta Hawks Matchup Breakdown

This matchup features a significant contrast in styles. Atlanta wants to push the ball at every opportunity, whereas Minnesota generally prefers to use its twin-tower look with Gobert and Randle to control the glass and slow things down. The Hawks lead the league in assists per game (30.8), suggesting they will test Minnesota’s defensive rotations with constant ball movement. If the Timberwolves can’t find their “spirit” and effort early, the Hawks have the shooters to run away with this one.

The battle at the rim will be decisive. Minnesota ranks 5th in blocks per game, but Atlanta’s ability to draw bigs out to the perimeter with their shooting could neutralize Rudy Gobert’s impact. Furthermore, Minnesota’s turnover issues (15 yesterday) are a major concern against an Atlanta team that ranks 5th in steals. Bettors can brush up on how to handicap these stylistic clashes in our NBA betting guide.

  • Atlanta won the previous meeting by 24 points on Dec. 31.
  • Minnesota is 17-10 at home but 5-5 in their last 10 overall.
  • The Hawks rank 1st in the NBA in assists per game (30.8).
  • Jalen Johnson is averaging a near-triple-double over his last five starts.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Atlanta Hawks Predictions and Best Bets

The market is leaning on Minnesota to “get right” at home, but I think the 6.5-point spread is too wide for a team on a back-to-back that is clearly dealing with internal friction. Atlanta matches up well here; they have the wings to throw multiple looks at Edwards and the pace to tire out a sluggish Minnesota frontcourt. I expect a high-intensity game, but Atlanta has enough offensive firepower to keep this within a couple of possessions or even win it outright.

Regarding the total, 237.5 is a massive number, and while both teams have scoring potential, Minnesota’s legs might not be there to sustain a 120-point pace. They’ve gone under in their last two games, and if the defense tightens up as Gobert requested, this could turn into more of a grind. Our model suggests a finish around 235, so I’m leaning toward the under in what could be a tired offensive performance from the home side.

Best Bet: Atlanta Hawks +6.5 (-111).

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