Monday, February 22, 2016

Target Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Boston Celtics travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, February 22, 2016. The opening line for this game has Boston as 4 point favorites and the over/under has been set at 210.5.

The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 32-24 and a road record of 15-14. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.8 as they are averaging 105.5 points per game while giving up 101.7 per contest. Boston is 7-5 against division opponents and they have a conference record of 23-16. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Timberwolves have an overall record of 17-39 and a home record of 9-20. They currently are 5th in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 100.4 points per game and surrendering 104.1, good for a point differential of -3.7. Minnesota has a division record of 2-10 and a conference record of 9-24. In their last 10 games they are 3-7.

Isaiah Thomas comes into this contest averaging 21.6 points per game while playing 32.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 3 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is currently at 90%. Avery Bradley averages 15.1 points per game in 33.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.1 assists per contest and 2.7 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Andrew Wiggins averages 20.8 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 3.7 rebounds per game and has 1.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 75%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 17.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.2 rebounds per contest and 1.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Boston averages 105.5 points per contest this season which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.8 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 25th in the league. They average 53.2 rebounds per game and 24.6 assists per game which ranks them 9th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 14th with 14.2 per game. The Celtics allow 101.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 14th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc ranking them 4th and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 55.9 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 20.5 assists per contest which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 16.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 1st in the league.

Minnesota averages 100.4 points per game this year which ranks them 21st in the league. Their average scoring margin is -3.7 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them sitting in the 11th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 29th in the NBA. They average 49.8 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per contest which ranks them 26th and 11th respectively. In the turnover department the Timberwolves rank 19th with 14.8 per game. The Timberwolves allow 104.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 26th and 14th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 50.3 rebounds a game which ranks 7th and they give up 21.7 assists per contest which puts them in 15th place in the league. The Timberwolves force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the NBA.

The Celtics average 104.9 points per game on the road this season and they have scored 114.3 ppg in their past 3 contests. They have an average scoring differential of 2.3 on the road and in their past 3 games their difference is -4.7 per contest. The Celtics have an offensive rating of 106.3 and a defensive rating of 102.5. In terms of pace they average 98.5 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 49%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 53% and they shoot 3 pointers on 30% of their shots. Boston turns the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions and they force 14.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 48%.

The Timberwolves score 99.6 ppg at home and they have averaged 105.3 points per contest in their last 3 games. They have an average scoring differential of -2.7 in their past 3 contests and at home this season they have a difference of -4.2 points per game. The Timberwolves rating on offense is 105.3 and they have a defensive rating of 109.2. They get 94.5 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 49%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 19% of their shot attempts. Minnesota turns the ball over on 13.7 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 13.2 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 52%.

Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 31-24-1 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 28-27-1 against the over/under

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 24-31-1 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 29-24-3 against the over/under

Boston Celtics Injuries

02/21/16 PG Avery Bradley Knee is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. Denver
02/20/16 PG Marcus Smart Thumb injured last game, probable Sunday vs. Denver
02/18/16 C Kelly Olynyk Shoulder out indefinitely

Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

02/21/16 C Nikola Pekovic Foot doubtful Monday vs. Boston
02/19/16 F Nemanja Bjelica Foot out indefinitely
01/30/16 F Kevin Garnett Knee out indefinitely

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink