Friday, March 17, 2017

American Airlines Arena

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The Minnesota Timberwolves head to American Airlines Arena to take on the Miami Heat on Friday, March 17, 2017. The opening line for this game has Miami as 4.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 28-39. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.0 as they are averaging 104.9 points per game while giving up 104.9 per contest. The Heat have an overall record of 33-35. They currently are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 102.6 points per game and surrendering 101.8, good for a point differential of 0.8.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 32-35-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 33-33-1 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 42-26-0 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 31-37-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

10/22/16 C Nikola Pekovic Ankle out for season
03/16/17 G Lance Stephenson Undisclosed injured last game, "?" Friday vs. Miami
03/15/17 F Nemanja Bjelica Ankle left last game, "?" Friday vs. Miami
02/05/17 PG Zach LaVine Ankle out for season

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/27/16 F Josh McRoberts Foot out indefinitely
10/22/16 F Chris Bosh Blood Clot out for season
01/04/17 F Justise Winslow Shoulder out for season

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins comes into this game averaging 22.9 points per contest while playing 37.2 minutes per night so far this year for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 4.1 rebounds per contest 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 24.3 points per game in 36.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.8 assists per contest and 12.3 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Goran Dragic averages 20.4 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per contest this year for the Heat. He grabs 3.8 rebounds per game and has 5.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 79%. Hassan Whiteside averages 16.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 14.3 rebounds per contest and 0.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage is 61%.

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Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 104.9 points per contest this season which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.06 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 43.2 rebounds per game and 23.5 assists per game which ranks them 18th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 11th with 14.2 per game. The Timberwolves allow 104.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 14th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 27th and 12th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 40.5 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd and they give up 22.4 assists per contest which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami averages 102.6 points per game this year which ranks them 23rd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.74 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 18th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 12th in the NBA. They average 44 rebounds per game and 21.3 assists per contest which ranks them 11th and 22nd respectively. In the turnover department the Heat rank 20th with 13.4 per game. The Heat allow 101.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 5th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 7th and 5th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 43.9 rebounds a game which ranks 18th and they give up 19.8 assists per contest which puts them in 2nd place in the league. The Heat force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the NBA.

Competitive Ratings

The Timberwolves have an offensive rating of 110.3 and a defensive rating of 110.4. 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 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%.

Competitive Ratings

The Heat rating on offense is 107.2 and they have a defensive rating of 106.5. They get 95.2 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 51%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 31% of their shot attempts. Miami turns the ball over on 12.3 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.3 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 49%.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Minnesota +4.5

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