Saturday, February 20, 2016

Target Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The New York Knicks travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, February 20, 2016. The opening line for this game has Minnesota as 2.5 point favorites and the over/under has been set at 204.5.

The Knicks come into this game with an overall record of 23-32 and a road record of 9-17. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.2 as they are averaging 99.1 points per game while giving up 101.3 per contest. New York is 6-4 against division opponents and they have a conference record of 15-20. They are 1-9 in their last 10 games. The Timberwolves have an overall record of 17-37 and a home record of 9-19. 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 -3.6. Minnesota has a division record of 2-10 and a conference record of 9-23. In their last 10 games they are 4-6.

Carmelo Anthony comes into this contest averaging 21.4 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Knicks. He pulls down 7.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 82%. Kristaps Porzingis averages 13.9 points per game in 28.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.2 assists per contest and 7.7 rebounds per game for New York. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%.

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 74%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 17.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.1 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

New York averages 99.1 points per contest this season which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.2 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them ranked 24th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 26th in the league. They average 52.3 rebounds per game and 20.4 assists per game which ranks them 14th and 24th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 13.5 per game. The Knicks allow 101.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 13th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 12th and 9th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 52.8 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 20.4 assists per contest which puts them in 2nd place in the league. They force 11.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league.

Minnesota averages 100.4 points per game this year which ranks them 21st in the league. Their average scoring margin is -3.6 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 50.1 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per contest which ranks them 24th and 10th 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 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 26th and 14th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 50.2 rebounds a game which ranks 7th and they give up 21.9 assists per contest which puts them in 16th place in the league. The Timberwolves force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the NBA.

The Knicks average 97.3 points per game on the road this season and they have scored 96.3 ppg in their past 3 contests. They have an average scoring differential of -4.4 on the road and in their past 3 games their difference is -4.7 per contest. The Knicks have an offensive rating of 105.1 and a defensive rating of 107.4. In terms of pace they average 93.5 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 48%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 53% and they shoot 3 pointers on 25% of their shots. New York turns the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions and they force 10.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%.

The Timberwolves score 99.8 ppg at home and they have averaged 110.3 points per contest in their last 3 games. They have an average scoring differential of -0.7 in their past 3 contests and at home this season they have a difference of -4.1 points per game. The Timberwolves rating on offense is 105.3 and they have a defensive rating of 109.1. 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%.

New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 29-26-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 27-27-1 against the over/under

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 24-29-1 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 28-23-3 against the over/under

New York Knicks Injuries

12/30/15 F Cleanthony Early Knee out indefinitely

Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

02/19/16 G Kevin Martin Wrist is upgraded to probable Friday vs. Memphis
02/19/16 F Nemanja Bjelica Foot out indefinitely
02/18/16 C Nikola Pekovic Foot doubtful Friday vs. Memphis
02/18/16 F Tayshaun Prince Personal probable Friday vs. Memphis
01/30/16 F Kevin Garnett Knee out indefinitely

Josh's Pick: Take New York

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