Thursday, December 8, 2016

Air Canada Centre

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The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Air Canada Centre to play the Toronto Raptors on Thursday, December 8, 2016. The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 6-15. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -1.5 as they are averaging 104.1 points per game while giving up 105.6 per contest. The Raptors have an overall record of 14-7. They currently are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 110.9 points per game and surrendering 102.8, good for a point differential of 8.1.

Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 22.2 points per game while playing 36.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 77%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 22 points per game in 34.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.4 assists per contest and 10.3 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%.

Kyle Lowry averages 20.6 points per game while playing 37.4 minutes per contest this year for the Raptors. He grabs 5 rebounds per game and has 7.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 85%. DeMar DeRozan averages 28 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.2 rebounds per contest and 4.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Minnesota averages 104.1 points per contest this season which ranks them 17th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.5 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 17th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 15th in the league. They average 50.3 rebounds per game and 22 assists per game which ranks them 24th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 19th with 14.7 per game. The Timberwolves allow 105.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 19th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 28th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 50.6 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 21.2 assists per contest which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 15.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the league.

Toronto averages 110.9 points per game this year which ranks them 3rd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 8.1 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team which has them sitting in the 2nd spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 39% which is good for 3rd in the NBA. They average 49.2 rebounds per game and 20.3 assists per contest which ranks them 28th and 25th respectively. In the turnover department the Raptors rank 3rd with 12.1 per game. The Raptors allow 102.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 12th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 16th and 14th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 51 rebounds a game which ranks 9th and they give up 22.1 assists per contest which puts them in 14th place in the league. The Raptors force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the NBA.

The Timberwolves have an offensive rating of 108.3 and a defensive rating of 109.9. In terms of pace they average 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 50%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they shoot 3 pointers on 28% of their shots. Minnesota turns the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions and they force 14.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%.

The Raptors rating on offense is 116.1 and they have a defensive rating of 107.6. They get 95 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 53%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 58% and they attempt 3 pointers on 29% of their shot attempts. Toronto turns the ball over on 11.2 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 14.5 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 6-15-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 11-10-0 against the over/under

Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 14-6-1 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 15-6-0 against the over/under

Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

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

Toronto Raptors Injuries

10/22/16 PG Delon Wright Shoulder out indefinitely10/22/16 F Jared Sullinger Foot out indefinitely

Tony's Pick: Take Toronto -8

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