Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 10/8/2017

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Mercedes-Benz Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Golden State Warriors head to Mercedes-Benz Arena to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, October 8, 2017.

The Warriors come into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 67-15. They were 1st in the Pacific Division. They had a point differential of 11.6 as they averaged 115.9 points per game while giving up 104.3 per contest. The Timberwolves had an overall mark of 31-51 last year. They were 5th in the Northwest Division. They averaged 105.6 points per contest and gave up 106.7, which was a point differential of -1.1.

Valuable Golden State Warriors Betting Trends

The Golden State Warriors were 39-39-4 against the spread last season

The Golden State Warriors were 32-50-0 against the over/under last year

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves were 37-45-0 against the spread last season

The Minnesota Timberwolves were 43-38-1 against the over/under last year

Key Golden State Warriors Injuries

8/23/2017 Chris Boucher F Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 1

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

10/2/2017 Justin Patton C Foot Questionable for start of season

Player Spotlight

Stephen Curry comes into this game after averaging 25.3 points per contest while playing 33.4 minutes per night last year. He grabbed 4.5 rebounds per contest and distributed 6.6 assists per game. His FG percentage was 47% while his free throw percentage was 90%. Kevin Durant averaged 25.1 points per contest in 33.4 minutes per game last year. He averaged 4.8 assists per game and 8.3 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage was 54% for the season while his free throw percentage was 88%.

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 25.1 points per contest while playing 37 minutes per game last season. He hauled in 12.3 rebounds per contest and had 2.7 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage was 54% and his free throw percentage finished at 83%. Jimmy Butler averaged 23.9 points per game last year and he saw the court an average of 37 minutes per game. He also brought in 6.2 rebounds per game and had 5.5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage was 46% and his free throw percentage was 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

Golden State averaged 115.9 points per contest last year, which was 1st in the league. Their average scoring margin was 11.63 and their shooting percentage was 50% as a unit, which had them ranked 1st. From 3-point territory they shot 38%, which was good for 3rd in the NBA. They averaged 44.4 boards per contest and 30.4 assists per game, which ranked them 7th and 1st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they were 9th with 14.8 per game. The Warriors allowed 104.3 points per contest, which was 11th in the NBA. They also surrendered a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 1st in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents averaged 43.5 rebounds a game which ranked 14th, and they allowed 22.7 assists per game which put them in 13th place in the league. They forced 15.5 turnovers per game which ranked them 30th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota was 13th in the NBA with 105.6 points per contest last season. They were 8th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin was -1.11. They shot 35% from beyond the arc, which was good for 20th in the league. They were 25th in the NBA in rebounding with 42.4 boards per contest and 9th in assists per game with 23.7. The Timberwolves were 13th in turnovers per contest with 14. The Timberwolves gave up 106.7 points per game, which ranked them 18th in the league. Their defense surrendered a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 28th and 23rd in those defensive statistics. They ranked 18th with 23.1 dimes allowed per game and 2nd with 40.4 boards surrendered per contest. The Timberwolves were 18th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per contest last year.

Advanced Statistics

The Warriors were 1st in the NBA in offensive rating with 115.6, and their defensive rating of 104 was ranked 29th last season. In terms of pace they were 4th in the league with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% was 1st. As a team they were 1st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shot 3 pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league. Golden State was 9th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 49%, which was 30th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves were 10th in the league in defensive rating with 112, and their offensive rating of 110.8 was ranked 4th. They were 25th in the NBA in pace with 94.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% was 16th. As a unit they were 15th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shot 3-pointers on 25% of their shot attempts, ranking 30th in the NBA. Minnesota was 13th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 54%, which was 2nd in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Golden State

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