Timberwolves vs. Jazz prediction and odds for NBA Summer League (Can Utah cover?)

The Utah Jazz have a ton of Summer League experience from their games in the Salt Lake City version of the Summer League last week, and they’ll take on a 1-0 Minnesota Timberwolves squad on Monday night. 

The Wolves won their Summer League opener, 102-88, against the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Utah has a ton of young talent playing in the Summer League, and that’s without lottery pick Taylor Hendricks suiting up yet this summer. Keyonte George scored 33 points in the team’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers, and Ochai Agbaji, a lottery pick last offseason, had 21 in that game. 

Minnesota doesn't have as much top-line talent, but the team did shoot an impressive 45.0 percent in the win over New Orleans. 

Let’s dive into the odds and my best bet for this Monday night matchup:   

Timberwolves vs. Jazz odds, spread and total

Spread

• Timberwolves +3.5 (-110)
• Jazz -3.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Timberwolves: +140
• Jazz: -165

Total

• 188 (Over -110/Under -110)

Odds are available via DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Timberwolves vs. Jazz prediction and pick

I’m partially intrigued by the total in this game, but it’s one of the higher ones we’ve seen this summer all the way up at 188. 

Instead, I’m going to bet on a more-talented Utah team handling the Timberwolves in this game. 

Minnesota played well enough to beat the Pelicans, but it saw Leonard Miller, Brandon Williams and Josh Minnot shoot a combined 22-for-38 from the field in that game. I don’t know if that’s sustainable.

The Jazz could be bolstered if Hendricks is able to play in this game, but even if he doesn’t George and Agbaji are an elite scoring duo for the Summer League. 

Utah is 2-2 this summer, but it’s won back-to-back games while playing a much-improved offense. I’ll roll with the Jazz in this spot.

Pick: Jazz -3.5 (-110)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.