With Cade Cunningham sidelined, our Pistons vs. Timberwolves predictions expect a comfortable victory for Minnesota.
Rob Paul • Betting Analyst
Mar 30, 2025 • 12:34 ET • 4 min read
Two teams looking to climb the standings in their respective conferences, the Minnesota Timberwolves host a Detroit Pistons squad tonight that’s exceeded all expectations in J.B. Bickerstaff’s first year in charge.
However, with Detroit likely down its star with Cade Cunningham listed as doubtful, Minnesota has a prime opportunity to add another win as it tries to earn a Top-6 seed. My Pistons vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, March 30, see Anthony Edwards & Co. taking advantage of the opportunity.
Pistons vs Timberwolves prediction
My best bet: Timberwolves -7 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
This Detroit Pistons turnaround has been awe-inspiring for every downtrodden franchise in the NBA. Bickerstaff should be the NBA Coach of the Year odds favorite over Kenny Atkinson, and Cunningham should take home the league’s Most Improved Player Award.
However, with Cunningham not expected to play tonight, Detroit might find itself in trouble on the road. The former No. 1 overall pick has been the catalyst for the Pistons’ resurgence and is one of just two players in the league to be averaging over 7.5 assists per game (9.2) and over 25 points per game (25.7) — the other is NBA MVP odds contender Nikola Jokic.
For as strong as Detroit has been ATS this season, without Cunningham in the lineup, the Pistons are just 3-5 ATS. And when Detroit played Minnesota earlier this season and covered, Cunningham was the key, scoring a season-high 40 points while chipping in nine assists and going 4-for-8 from deep.
Take him out of the equation against a Minnesota Timberwolves squad that’s been trending in the right direction as of late, and it could spell trouble for Bickerstaff. Minnesota is 10-3 in March and 8-5 ATS behind an offense putting up a jaw-dropping 121.6 ppg.
The Timberwolves have been unstoppable offensively, shooting 40.5% from behind the arc. While Detroit is 14th in points allowed per game (113.0), its perimeter defense has been shaky, allowing the eighth-highest 3-point percentage in the NBA (36.5%).
Three-time All-Star Anthony Edwards should have a field day against Detroit’s defense, especially with how he’s been shooting from deep this season.
Meanwhile, Minnesota has one of the league’s top defenses. It’s sixth in points allowed (109.3) and defensive rating (111.5) while allowing the ninth-lowest field goal percentage (46.1%), seventh-lowest 3-point percentage (35.3%), and the fifth-fewest free throws per game (15.7).
Without Cunningham in its lineup, Detroit will have a hard time penetrating a defense anchored by Rudy Gobert.
Pistons vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
Timberwolves -7Anthony Edwards Over 3.5 threes
Jalen Duren Under 12.5 points
When Edwards was coming out of Georgia, there were concerns about his shooting ability and questions around if he’d ever develop a consistent 3-point shot. Well, he’s gotten better pretty much every season he’s been in the league and has become one of the best long-range scorers in the NBA.
His four made 3-pointers per game trails only Steph Curry (4.4), and he’s one of just three players shooting better than 39% while averaging over eight 3-point attempts per game. His reign from deep should continue against the Pistons’ lackluster perimeter defense.
For the Pistons to keep up with Edwards and win without Cunningham, they’ll need Jalen Duren to put together a strong outing, but the big man has a tough matchup against a Minnesota defense that’s allowing the fifth-fewest points to centers in the league (20.22).
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Pistons vs Timberwolves odds
Pistons vs Timberwolves live odds
Pistons vs Timberwolves opening odds
- Spread: Detroit +6.5 | Minnesota -6.5
- Moneyline: Detroit +205 | Minnesota -250
- Over/Under: Over 224.5| Under 224.5
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Pistons vs Timberwolves spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Timberwolves opened as 6.5-point favorites with most books seeing the line move to between -7 and -7.5 with Cunningham unlikely to play for Detroit.
- Minnesota hasn’t been strong ATS this season at 34-39-1 while the Pistons have been one of the most consistent covers at 40-31-3.
- The Over/Under opened as low as 224.5 and has steadily climbed to between 225.5 and 226, despite Cunningham being listed as doubtful.
- The Timberwolves are among the best Over teams in the NBA at 41-33, with Detroit not far behind at 37-35-2.
Pistons vs Timberwolves trend
The Timberwolves have cashed their team total Over in 27 of their last 38 games for +14.15 units and a 32% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Pistons vs Timberwolves
Location Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota Date Sunday, 3-29-2025 Tip-off 7:00 p.m. ET TV FDSN-Detroit, FDSN-North
Pistons vs Timberwolves latest injuries
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