Minnesota Timberwolves at Indiana Pacers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/31/2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves head to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, December 31, 2017. The opening line for this game has Minnesota as 3.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 22-14. They are 1st in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.9 as they are averaging 108.6 points per game while giving up 106.7 per contest. The Pacers have an overall record of 19-17. They currently are 4th in the Central Division. They are averaging 107.4 points per game and surrendering 107.0, good for a point differential of 0.4.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 15-19-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 20-15-1 against the over/under

Important Indiana Pacers Betting Trends

The Indiana Pacers are 20-16-0 against the spread

The Indiana Pacers are 16-19-1 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/30/17 PG Tyus Jones Finger left last game, is "?" Sunday vs Indiana
12/27/17 PG Jeff Teague Knee is out indefinitely

Key Indiana Pacers Injuries

12/30/17 G Victor Oladipo Knee is doubtful Sunday vs Minnesota
09/29/17 G Glenn Robinson III Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler comes into this game averaging 21.2 points per contest while playing 37.6 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 5.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.8 assists per game. His FG percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is 88%. Andrew Wiggins averages 17.7 points per contest in 36.5 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 62%.

Player Spotlight

Myles Turner has scored 14.5 points per contest while playing 30.2 minutes per game this season for the Pacers. He hauls in 6.8 rebounds per contest and has 1.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 76%. Bojan Bogdanovic averages 13.8 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 31.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.2 rebounds per game and 1.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 108.6 points per contest this year, which is 6th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 1.92 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 6th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They average 41.5 boards per contest and 22.9 assists per game, which ranks them 22nd and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 27th with 13.4 per game. The Timberwolves allow 106.7 points per contest which is 21st in the NBA. They also surrender a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 19th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.1 rebounds a game which ranks 4th, and they allow 24.4 assists per game which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 27th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Indiana is 9th in the NBA with 107.4 points per contest this season. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 0.42. They shoot 39% from beyond the arc, which is good for 2nd in the league. They are 20th in the NBA in rebounding with 41.9 boards per contest and 11th in assists per game with 22.8. The Pacers are 26th in turnovers per contest with 13.7. The Pacers give up 107 points per game, which ranks them 22nd in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 26th and 21st in those defensive statistics. They rank 22nd with 24 dimes allowed per game and 16th with 43.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Pacers are 21st in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 110.6, and their offensive rating of 112.6 is ranked 5th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 9th. As a unit they are 8th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% 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 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 1st in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Indiana is 25th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 6th in the league. The Pacers are 8th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.1, and their defensive rating of 109.7 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 97 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 24th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota -3.5

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