Following a four-game winning streak from January 26 to January 31, the Minnesota Timberwolves (33-22) are 2-3 over the last five games. On Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, they play host to the Portland Trail Blazers (26-28), who are on a three-game winning streak.
Timberwolves SG Anthony Edwards is listed as questionable on the official NBA injury report with an illness, adding to the Wolves’ troubles. Minnesota totaled only 106.5 points per game (PPG) in Edwards’ last two absences, compared to 119.4 PPG on the season.
The latest Anthony Edwards injury update could shift this matchup and player projections on PrizePicks.
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Anthony Edwards Injury Update vs. Trail Blazers Tonight
Edwards is officially questionable with an illness tonight vs. the Blazers, as he was added to the injury report on Wednesday morning.
As mentioned, the Timberwolves’ scoring has taken a notable dip in his recent absences. NBA Advanced Stats ranks Portland 19th in defensive rating, while the unit allows 118.0 PPG (23rd).
This would be a prime spot for Ant-Man to feast if he plays, as he leads Minnesota with 29.6 PPG. As expected, the four-time All-Star’s 20.7 shots per game and 32.0% usage rate top the team, via FantasyLabs.
Edwards has played in eight consecutive games, averaging 29.5 PPG while shooting 46.4% in the split. However, his 3-point percentage was only 33.8% in the eight-game span — far behind 39.7% for the season.
He also leads the Timberwolves with 7.5 free throw attempts per game and logged 9.4 per matchup in the last eight games. The Trail Blazers rank 20th in personal fouls per game, surrendering 24.5 free-throw attempts per game (21st).
PrizePicks projects Edwards for 27.5 points and 5.5 made free throws on Wednesday if he plays
Timberwolves Players to Target if Edwards is Out vs. Blazers
Minnesota acquired G Ayo Dosunmu ahead of the NBA trade deadline. He made his Wolves debut on February 8 and has posted 16.0 PPG over two games with Edwards in the lineup.
According to FantasyLabs, Dosunmu touts a +14.5 fantasy score when Edwards is off the court (second on the team) in the small sample size. The Illinois product has helped replace some of Ant-Man’s recent 3-point inefficiencies, shooting 45.5% from deep since his Timberwolves debut.
Dating back to his time with the Bulls, the former second-round pick is averaging 18.8 PPG while shooting 53.8% from the field and 42.5% from 3-point land over his last eight appearances.
If Edwards is out, the 6-foot-4 guard should see an increase in minutes and shots, too.
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Ayo Dosunmu vs. Trail Blazers Projections, Picks
PrizePicks is projecting Dosunmu to fall under his 16.0 PPG in a Timberwolves uniform, forecasting 13.5 points vs. the Trail Blazers.
- 13.5 Points
- 20.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- 7 Rebs+Asts
- 26.5 Fantasy Score
Make NBA Picks on PrizePicks for Wednesday
The Timberwolves struggled to score in Edwards’ last two absences, but Dosunmu was not a part of those rotations. Could the newly-acquired guard keep up his hot streak if Edwards is out with an illness tonight?
You can make your Trail Blazers vs. Timberwolves picks on PrizePicks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct.
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