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Minnesota Timberwolves at Miami Heat Predictions & Picks – Timberwolves To Upset New-Look Heat In NBA Season Opener
- Minnesota tipped to win season opener against Miami
- Miami’s significant offseason trades may require time for line-up chemistry
- Timberwolves' roster, led by Edwards and Ball, showed promising synergy in pre-season
Minnesota Timberwolves at Miami Heat Predictions & Picks
Minnesota are tipped to make a winning start to the season.
Miami made a blockbuster move to land Giannis in the offseason, but had to give up a number of assets to get the deal over the line, so this new-look line-up may need time to settle.
The Timberwolves made notable changes themselves, but Edwards and Ball showed promising chemistry in pre-season, and this roster matches up well against the Heat’s.
- Minnesota Timberwolves are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings
- Minnesota Timberwolves are 4-1 in their last 5 visits to Miami
- The Under cashed in 2 of the 3 meetings last season
Head To Head
- The all-time series is tied 36-36
- Minnesota Timberwolves won 122-94 when the two teams last met in January 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves Form
Minnesota made some high-profile changes to the roster in the offseason, bringing in LaMelo Ball via trade and Jonathan Kuminga as a free agent.
There were some notable exits, as Naz Reid left for Charlotte as part of the Ball trade, while Julius Randle headed to Brooklyn.
They go into their season-opening matchup having split their six pre-season matchups.
Minnesota opened with a 116-97 win in Milwaukee, and then rebounded from a 123-112 loss at Indiana with road wins at Miami, 125-124, and New York, 122-104.
The Timberwolves then closed out the pre-season with defeats to Detroit, 128-106, and Chjcago, 133-116.
Miami Heat Form
Miami made a blockbuster move in the offseason as they traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis, while also bringing in free agents Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr.
That trade did cost the Heat plenty of notable assets though, including Tyler Herro, while Norman Powell departed for Chicago.
This new-look group warmed up for the 2026/27 campaign by going 3-2 during pre-season.
Miami opened with wins over Toronto, 129-105, and New Orleans, 128-118, before rebounding from a 125-124 defeat to Minnesota with a 144-128 success against Brooklyn.
The Heat then closed out their pre-season schedule with a 136-115 defeat to the Magic in Orlando.
Verdict
There is plenty of excitement surrounding this new-look Heat team, but there could be some early teething problems.
Minnesota have had their number in recent seasons, and the Edwards-Ball partnership has shown promise in pre-season, so give us the Timberwolves and the plus-money.
Minnesota have had their number in recent seasons, and the Edwards-Ball partnership has shown promise in pre-season, so give us the Timberwolves and the plus-money.
Leigh Copson
Sports Editor • 25+ Years Experience, US & Combat Sports Specialist
US sports writer covering the NFL, NBA, NHL, boxing and MMA, with previews, predictions and betting tips across the major American leagues.
During his career at the Press Association and online sports sites including FreeTips and ExpertPicks.com, he has covered some of the biggest sporting events on the planet, including the Super Bowl, the Champions League Final and the World Cup Final.
He has also covered almost every major boxing match and UFC fight card during this time.. His specialist sports are American Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Football.