Sunday, December 25, 2016

Chesapeake Energy Arena

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The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Chesapeake Energy Arena to play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, December 25, 2016. The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 9-20. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.3 as they are averaging 103.9 points per game while giving up 106.2 per contest. The Thunder have an overall record of 18-12. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 106.8 points per game and surrendering 105.3, good for a point differential of 1.5.

Karl-Anthony Towns comes into this contest averaging 22.1 points per game while playing 35.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 11.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 79%. Andrew Wiggins averages 21.7 points per game in 36.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.3 assists per contest and 4.2 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Russell Westbrook averages 31.8 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per contest this year for the Thunder. He grabs 10.5 rebounds per game and has 10.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 82%. Steven Adams averages 11.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.6 rebounds per contest and 0.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 58% and his free throw percentage is 71%.

Minnesota averages 103.9 points per contest this season which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.3 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 14th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 19th in the league. They average 51.3 rebounds per game and 21.9 assists per game which ranks them 21st and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 15 per game. The Timberwolves allow 106.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 20th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 27th and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 49.7 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 21.8 assists per contest which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league.

Oklahoma City averages 106.8 points per game this year which ranks them 9th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 1.5 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 33% which is good for 26th in the NBA. They average 56 rebounds per game and 21.8 assists per contest which ranks them 2nd and 17th respectively. In the turnover department the Thunder rank 23rd with 15.3 per game. The Thunder allow 105.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 18th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 18th and 9th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 52 rebounds a game which ranks 15th and they give up 22.1 assists per contest which puts them in 15th place in the league. The Thunder force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the NBA.

The Timberwolves have an offensive rating of 108.7 and a defensive rating of 111.1. In terms of pace they average 94.9 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 50%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 55% and they shoot 3 pointers on 28% of their shots. Minnesota turns the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%.

The Thunder rating on offense is 107.4 and they have a defensive rating of 105.9. They get 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 51%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 30% of their shot attempts. Oklahoma City turns the ball over on 13.4 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.6 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 50%.

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 11-18-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 15-14-0 against the over/under

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 15-14-1 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 12-17-1 against the over/under

Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

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

Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

12/18/16 G Victor Oladipo Wrist out indefinitely
10/22/16 PG Cameron Payne Foot out indefinitely

Guy's Pick: Take Oklahoma City

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