Bucks vs. Timberwolves NBA Picks, Predictions: Can Milwaukee Stay Undefeated?

The Bucks will attempt to maintain their flawless record on Friday. Here's the matchup breakdown in our Bucks-Timberwolves picks.

Shane Jackson

Last Updated: November 4, 2022 9:51 AM EDT • 3 minute read

The Milwaukee Bucks have yet to lose a game, but they'll now face a road test against the rising Minnesota Timberwolves. Read on for our Bucks-Timberwolves picks and predictions.

A perfect record will be put to the test on Friday when the Milwaukee Bucks face the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Bucks (7-0) are the NBA’s only unbeaten squad, and they're coming off a 116-91 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. They've recorded four double-digit wins and are 6-1 against the spread. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are 4-4 overall and 3-5 against the spread, which includes a 116-107 defeat to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

Here are our Bucks-Timberwolves NBA picks for Friday (odds via PointsBet, BetMGM, and FanDuel Sportsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Bucks vs. Timberwolves Game Info

Date: Friday, Nov. 5, 10 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bucks vs. Timberwolves Odds

Bucks vs. Timberwolves Odds Analysis

The Bucks are now a 3.5-point favorite at most sportsbooks, but the spread opened at 3 before rising as high as 4. Milwaukee hasn’t been this small of a favorite since it was laying just 3 points against the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 26.

As for the total, the opening number of 226 has climbed up to 227.5. Interestingly, both teams hold a better record to the Under to start the season. The Bucks have played in four games when the Under hit, while the Timberwolves have done so six times.

Bucks vs. Timberwolves Picks

Bucks vs. Timberwolves ATS Pick

Bucks -3.5 (-107) ★★★

I would like to pick the Timberwolves because surely the Bucks’ undefeated run will end at some point, but that really isn’t sound logic. My projections make the Bucks a 5-point favorite, and I need to trust my numbers.

Both Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert are listed as questionable due to an illness. This spread will certainly grow if either of those two key players are ruled out for the Timberwolves.

Minnesota failed its first real test of the season when it lost to the Suns on Tuesday. This team is still figuring out what works after acquiring Gobert during the offseason.

Meanwhile, the Bucks know who they are and have cleared every hurdle to match their franchise’s best-ever start. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been unstoppable while averaging 33.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, five assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. A bet on the Bucks is a bet on Giannis, and I’m certainly fine with that.

Bucks vs. Timberwolves O/U Pick

Under 227.5 (-110) ★★★★

This seems like a lofty total based on how these two teams have been playing to start the season.

The Bucks pace the league in scoring defense, allowing an average of 102 points per contest. Milwaukee ranks No. 1 in points allowed per 100 possessions (101.3) and defensive effective field-goal percentage (47.9%) through seven games, according to cleaningtheglass.com.

Minnesota’s defense ranks top seven in both points per possession and effective field-goal percentage. We were backing the Under on 227.5 ahead of Tuesday’s Wolves-Suns matchup, which cleared by 4.5 points. I don’t mind going back to the well after this line climbed a bit.

Bucks vs. Timberwolves Prop Pick

Timberwolves Under 112.5 (-115) ★★★★

It wouldn’t be surprising to see this line move if Edwards or Gobert are ruled out for the home team before tipoff.

The Wolves have failed to reach 113 points in three consecutive games. The Bucks have surrendered that much just once in 2022-23, which occurred during a 123-115 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Since I'm backing Milwaukee to stay undefeated and the total to finish Under, it makes sense to bet against Minnesota producing a high offensive output.

Where to Bet on Bucks-Timberwolves Picks

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

Bucks-Timberwolves picks made 11/4/2022 at 12:00 p.m. ET

Written by:
Shane Jackson

Shane Jackson has been writing for Sportsbook Review since 2022, though his passion for sports, writing, and betting runs much longer than that. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a journalism degree in 2017 and has been covering sports ever since, working for MLB.com, Manhattan Mercury, Lawrence Journal-World, WynnBET, Bet Chicago Sports, BetNOLA, and BetMGM. Jackson cares about creating quality sports betting content above all else. He uses a mixture of models, information, film, analysis, and a top-down approach to locate every best bet shared for SBR. He never gives out a pick that he wouldn’t be willing to spend his own money on. Jackson is focused on finding +EV bets on a daily basis for a variety of sports such as NCAAF, NCAAB, NFL, NBA, WNBA, and MLB. He usually bets on props but is willing to wager on a spread or total when there is an edge. Don’t ask him how many bets he has placed on a typical college football Saturday. Jackson doesn’t care if you follow him on social media, but his Twitter account has info on how you can follow his bets through multiple third-party platforms. He just wants you to read all the great work from the SBR team.