Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks NBA Picks & Predictions 11/17/2017

Friday, November 17, 2017

American Airlines Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to American Airlines Center to play the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, November 17, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 6.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 9-5. They are 1st in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.9 as they are averaging 108.0 points per game while giving up 108.9 per contest. The Mavericks have an overall mark of 2-13. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 98.9 points per contest and giving up 107.0, which is a point differential of -8.1.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 7-6-1 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 6-7-1 against the over/under

Important Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 4-11-0 against the spread

The Dallas Mavericks are 7-8-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

11/16/17 C Gorgui Dieng Finger is "?" Friday vs. Dallas

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

11/14/17 PG Devin Harris Ribs is "?" Friday vs Minnesota
11/14/17 F Dorian Finney-Smith Knee is out indefinitely
10/07/17 G Seth Curry Stress Fracture is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler averages 15.3 points per game in 36 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.8 assists per contest and 5.1 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%. Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 18.9 points per game while playing 35.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 4.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 62%.

Player Spotlight

Dennis Smith averages 15.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.2 rebounds per contest and 4.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 64%. Harrison Barnes averages 18.8 points per game while playing 35.5 minutes per contest this year for the Mavericks. He grabs 7.1 rebounds per game and has 1.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 108.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 49% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 30th and 13th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 40.9 rebounds a game which ranks 4th, and they give up 24.3 assists per contest which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 16.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league. Minnesota averages 108 points per contest this season, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.93 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 9th in the league. They average 42.6 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 20th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 18th with 15.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Mavericks surrender 107 points per contest, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 27th and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 15th with 22.2 assists allowed per contest, and 26th with 46.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mavericks are 13th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.5 per game this season. Dallas is 27th in the league with 98.9 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is -8.07. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They are 25th in the league in rebounding with 41 boards per game and 23rd in assists per contest with 20.3. The Mavericks are 22nd in turnovers per game with 14.9.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.4, and their defensive rating of 110.3 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 16th in the league with 98 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 17th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league. Minnesota is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 1st in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Dallas is 18th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 4th in the NBA. The Mavericks are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 110.1, and their offensive rating of 101.8 is ranked 5th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 97.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 26th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 2nd in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota -6.5

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