Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/20/2017

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Pepsi Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves head to Pepsi Center to take on the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. The opening line for this game has Denver as 3.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 18-13. They are 1st in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.2 as they are averaging 107.6 points per game while giving up 106.4 per contest. The Nuggets have an overall mark of 16-14. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 107.4 points per contest and giving up 107.1, which is a point differential of 0.3.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 12-17-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 16-14-1 against the over/under

Important Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 13-16-1 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 14-16-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/18/17 F Nemanja Bjelica Foot is doubtful Wednesday vs Denver

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

12/19/17 C Nikola Jokic Ankle is probable Wednesday vs Minnesota
12/18/17 PG Emmanuel Mudiay Ankle is "?" Wednesday vs Minnesota
11/21/17 F Paul Millsap Wrist is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler comes into this game averaging 20.1 points per contest while playing 37.2 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 5.6 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.7 assists per game. His FG percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is 86%. Andrew Wiggins averages 17.9 points per contest in 36.7 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.7 assists per game and 3.9 rebounds per contest for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 43% for the season while his free throw percentage is 63%.

Player Spotlight

Will Barton has scored 15.4 points per contest while playing 31.2 minutes per game this season for the Nuggets. He hauls in 5.1 rebounds per contest and has 3.7 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 71%. Gary Harris averages 16.1 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 34.2 minutes per game. He also brings in 3 rebounds per game and 3.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 107.6 points per contest this year, which is 8th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 1.23 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 9th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They average 41.7 boards per contest and 22.6 assists per game, which ranks them 23rd and 14th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 28th with 13.5 per game. The Timberwolves allow 106.4 points per contest which is 20th in the NBA. They also surrender a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 18th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.3 rebounds a game which ranks 5th, and they allow 24.5 assists per game which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 16 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver is 9th in the NBA with 107.4 points per contest this season. They are 10th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 0.3. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 12th in the league. They are 7th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.1 boards per contest and 7th in assists per game with 23.3. The Nuggets are 10th in turnovers per contest with 15.6. The Nuggets give up 107.1 points per game, which ranks them 23rd in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 48% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 29th and 28th in those defensive statistics. They rank 22nd with 24 dimes allowed per game and 4th with 41.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Nuggets are 22nd in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 110.3, and their offensive rating of 111.6 is ranked 5th. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 95.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 16th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shot attempts, ranking 28th in the NBA. Minnesota is 29th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 2nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Denver is 12th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 1st in the league. The Nuggets are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.8, and their defensive rating of 109.5 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 8th. 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.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Denver -3.5

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