Minnesota Timberwolves at Milwaukee Bucks NBA Picks & Predictions 12/28/2017

Thursday, December 28, 2017

BMO Harris Bradley Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to BMO Harris Bradley Center to play the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, December 28, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Milwaukee as 2.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 21-13. They are 1st in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.1 as they are averaging 108.4 points per game while giving up 106.3 per contest. The Bucks have an overall record of 17-15. They currently are 4th in the Central Division. They are averaging 105.2 points per game and surrendering 105.8, good for a point differential of -0.6.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 15-17-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 19-14-1 against the over/under

Important Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 12-15-5 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 21-11-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

11/21/17 F Mirza Teletovic Lung is out indefinitely
10/16/17 F Jabari Parker Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler averages 20.7 points per game in 37.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.8 assists per contest and 5.5 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%. Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 17.5 points per game while playing 36.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 4 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 63%.

Player Spotlight

Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 29.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.4 rebounds per contest and 4.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is 78%. Khris Middleton averages 20.7 points per game while playing 37.3 minutes per contest this year for the Bucks. He grabs 5.2 rebounds per game and has 4.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage currently is at 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 106.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 19th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 30th and 20th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41 rebounds a game which ranks 4th, and they give up 24.4 assists per contest which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 16 turnovers per game which ranks them 27th in the league. Minnesota averages 108.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.12 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 6th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 41.7 rebounds per game and 22.9 assists per game, which ranks them 22nd and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 28th with 13.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bucks surrender 105.8 points per contest, which ranks them 17th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 40% average from 3-point range, ranking them 21st and 30th in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 22 assists allowed per contest, and 13th with 42.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bucks are 25th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.7 per game this season. Milwaukee is 14th in the league with 105.2 points per game this year. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is -0.66. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They are 30th in the league in rebounding with 38.6 boards per game and 15th in assists per contest with 22.5. The Bucks are 29th in turnovers per game with 13.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 110.2, and their offensive rating of 112.4 is ranked 6th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 95.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 11th. 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 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee is 26th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 7th in the league. The Bucks are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.4, and their defensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 7th. In terms of pace they are 21st in the league with 95.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 7th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Milwaukee -2.5

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