Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 12/27/2017

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Denver Nuggets travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, December 27, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 6 point favorites.

The Nuggets come into this game with an overall record of 18-15. They are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.0 as they are averaging 106.8 points per game while giving up 105.8 per contest. The Timberwolves have an overall mark of 21-13. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 108.0 points per contest and giving up 106.3, which is a point differential of 1.7.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 15-17-1 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 15-18-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 15-17-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 19-14-1 against the over/under

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

11/21/17 F Paul Millsap Wrist is out indefinitely

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Gary Harris comes into this contest averaging 16.2 points per game while playing 34.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Nuggets. He pulls down 2.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 78%. Will Barton averages 14.8 points per game in 31.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.7 assists per contest and 5.2 rebounds per game for Denver. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 72%.

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averages 17.6 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 4 rebounds per game and has 1.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 63%. Jimmy Butler averages 20.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.5 rebounds per contest and 4.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 106.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 45.1 rebounds per game and 23.4 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 6th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 5th with 15.9 per game. The Nuggets allow 105.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 28th and 19th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 40.8 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd and they give up 23.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 21st place in the league. They force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 20th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 7th in the league with 108 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 1.67. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They are 21st in the league in rebounding with 41.7 boards per game, and 14th in assists per contest with 22.6. The Timberwolves are 28th in turnovers per game with 13.4. The Timberwolves surrender 106.3 points per contest, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 24.5 assists allowed per contest and 5th with 41.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 27th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.1 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 8th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.7, and their defensive rating of 108.7 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 9th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league. Denver is 8th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 4th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 29th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 2nd in the league. The Timberwolves are 5th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112, and their defensive rating of 110.2 is ranked 6th. In terms of pace they are 19th in the league with 95.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 14th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shots, ranking 28th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Nuggets/Timberwolves NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota -6

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