Vegas Play of the Day: Wizards vs. Timberwolves

By Jesse Granger

Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 | 9:09 a.m.

We’ve entered the third season of the annual South Point-lined Play of the Day competition, effective July 1.

Starting bankrolls have reset to $10,000, with the maximum bet being to win $1,000 and the minimum wager $300. Ray Brewer won the 2015-2016 season, after Taylor Bern prevailed in 2014-2015. Bern stepped away in the middle of the 2016-2017 season with a 16-12 record and $13,317 bankroll, with Mike Grimala taking his place.

Washington Wizards minus-4.5 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, $440 to win $400:

I haven’t had a hot hand lately with the Vegas Play of the Day, so today I’m going with a team that has.

The Washington Wizards have won eight straight home games and have covered the spread in all eight. The Wizards have covered five of the games as a favorite.

They find themselves as home favorites once again tonight, laying 4.5 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota has struggled on the road this year, going 5-12 straight up and 6-11 against the spread. The Timberwolves have also lost their last three road contests.

This line may be slightly low because the public’s perception of Washington is down after a poor showing in its two-game Texas road trip. The Wizards were handled easily by Houston and Dallas and will be looking to get back on track in the friendly confines of Verizon Center.

All-star point guard John Wall has been a major catalyst in the home winning streak, averaging 23 points and 11 assists. Wall should have another big night against the Timberwolves matched up with Ricky Rubio. While Rubio has been good on the offensive end, leading Minnesota with 7.1 assists per game, he doesn’t have the defensive ability or the physicality to keep Wall from driving to the hoop.

I will lay the 4.5 points with the Wizards at home.

Current Standings: Keefer (33-23-2, $11,561), Brewer (21-17-1, $10,645), Grimala (2-2, $10,000), Granger (4-9, $6,110)