Saturday, December 17, 2016

Target Center

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The Houston Rockets travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, December 17, 2016. The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 19-7. They are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 6.9 as they are averaging 112.8 points per game while giving up 105.9 per contest. The Timberwolves have an overall record of 7-18. They currently are 5th in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 103.7 points per game and surrendering 106.7, good for a point differential of -3.0.

Eric Gordon comes into this contest averaging 17 points per game while playing 30.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 2.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is currently at 80%. James Harden averages 27.6 points per game in 36.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 11.7 assists per contest and 7.8 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Karl-Anthony Towns averages 21.4 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 10.8 rebounds per game and has 2.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage currently is at 77%. Andrew Wiggins averages 22.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.2 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 76%.

Houston averages 112.8 points per contest this season which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.9 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them ranked 3rd. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 5th in the league. They average 53.1 rebounds per game and 25.4 assists per game which ranks them 11th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 16.1 per game. The Rockets allow 105.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 20th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 21st and 17th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 50.3 rebounds a game which ranks 6th and they give up 21.8 assists per contest which puts them in 13th place in the league. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the league.

Minnesota averages 103.7 points per game this year which ranks them 19th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -3 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 15th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 19th in the NBA. They average 50.6 rebounds per game and 21.7 assists per contest which ranks them 22nd and 20th respectively. In the turnover department the Timberwolves rank 20th with 14.6 per game. The Timberwolves allow 106.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 29th and 20th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 50.2 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 21.8 assists per contest which puts them in 11th place in the league. The Timberwolves force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the NBA.

The Rockets have an offensive rating of 114.6 and a defensive rating of 107.6. In terms of pace they average 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 56%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 59% and they shoot 3 pointers on 44% of their shots. Houston turns the ball over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

The Timberwolves rating on offense is 108.8 and they have a defensive rating of 111.9. They get 95 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 28% of their shot attempts. Minnesota turns the ball over on 13.3 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 13.3 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 53%.

Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 18-8-0 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 14-12-0 against the over/under

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 8-17-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 13-12-0 against the over/under

Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

10/22/16 C Nikola Pekovic Ankle out for season

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota +5.5

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