Friday, March 24, 2017

Staples Center

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The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, March 24, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 4 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 28-42. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.6 as they are averaging 104.8 points per game while giving up 105.4 per contest. The Lakers have an overall record of 20-51. They currently are 5th in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 104.6 points per game and surrendering 112.2, good for a point differential of -7.6.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 32-38-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 35-34-1 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 30-39-2 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 40-30-1 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

10/22/16 C Nikola Pekovic Ankle out for season
03/16/17 F Nemanja Bjelica Ankle out for season
02/05/17 PG Zach LaVine Ankle out for season

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

03/15/17 F Luol Deng None out for season
03/14/17 C Timofey Mozgov None out for season

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 23 points per game while playing 37.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 4.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 76%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 24.6 points per game in 36.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.8 assists per contest and 12.2 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 54% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

For expert handicapping advice on this matchup and other NBA games check out our handicapping tips.

Player Spotlight

Jordan Clarkson averages 14.5 points per game while playing 28.5 minutes per contest this year for the Lakers. He grabs 2.9 rebounds per game and has 2.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 81%. Julius Randle averages 13.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.6 rebounds per contest and 3.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 71%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 104.8 points per contest this season which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.61 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them ranked 8th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 21st in the league. They average 42.9 rebounds per game and 23.4 assists per game which ranks them 24th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 11th with 14.3 per game. The Timberwolves allow 105.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 16th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 28th and 16th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 40.4 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd and they give up 22.6 assists per contest which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 104.6 points per game this year which ranks them 17th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -7.55 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 21st spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They average 43.6 rebounds per game and 20.8 assists per contest which ranks them 16th and 26th respectively. In the turnover department the Lakers rank 6th with 15.1 per game. The Lakers allow 112.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 28th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc ranking them 30th and 25th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 44.8 rebounds a game which ranks 25th and they give up 25.5 assists per contest which puts them in 30th place in the league. The Lakers force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves have an offensive rating of 110.2 and a defensive rating of 110.9. In terms of pace they average 94.5 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 51%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 55% and they shoot 3 pointers on 26% of their shots. Minnesota turns the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers rating on offense is 106 and they have a defensive rating of 113.6. They get 98.7 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 30% of their shot attempts. Los Angeles turns the ball over on 13.4 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.8 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 54%.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles +4

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