Sunday, March 19, 2017

Smoothie King Center

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The Minnesota Timberwolves head to Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, March 19, 2017. The opening line for this game has Minnesota as 4.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 28-40. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.3 as they are averaging 104.9 points per game while giving up 105.2 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall record of 28-41. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 103.3 points per game and surrendering 106.0, good for a point differential of -2.7.

Karl-Anthony Towns comes into this game averaging 24.4 points per contest while playing 36.8 minutes per night so far this year for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 12.3 rebounds per contest and dishes out 2.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 54% while his free throw percentage is currently at 82%. Andrew Wiggins averages 22.9 points per game in 37.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.4 assists per contest and 4.1 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%.

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Demarcus Cousins averages 26.7 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 10.8 rebounds per game and has 4.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 77%. Anthony Davis averages 27.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.8 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Minnesota averages 104.9 points per contest this season which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.32 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 rebounds per game and 23.4 assists per game which ranks them 20th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 11th with 14.2 per game. The Timberwolves allow 105.2 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 12th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 40.5 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd and they give up 22.5 assists per contest which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league.

New Orleans averages 103.3 points per game this year which ranks them 21st in the league. Their average scoring margin is -2.61 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 23rd spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the NBA. They average 44.1 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per contest which ranks them 10th and 16th respectively. In the turnover department the Pelicans rank 23rd with 13.2 per game. The Pelicans allow 106 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 6th and 6th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 48.4 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 22.9 assists per contest which puts them in 17th place in the league. The Pelicans force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the NBA.

The Timberwolves have an offensive rating of 110.3 and a defensive rating of 110.7. 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%.

The Pelicans rating on offense is 104.2 and they have a defensive rating of 106.8. They get 97.9 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 31% of their shot attempts. New Orleans turns the ball over on 12.1 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.4 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 50%.

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 32-36-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 34-33-1 against the over/under

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 33-34-2 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 31-38-0 against the over/under

Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

10/22/16 C Nikola Pekovic Ankle out for season
03/18/17 G Lance Stephenson Ankle out indefinitely
03/16/17 F Nemanja Bjelica Ankle out for season
02/05/17 PG Zach LaVine Ankle out for season

New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/22/16 F Quincy Pondexter Knee out indefinitely
03/18/17 F/C DeMarcus Cousins Ribs is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. Minnesota
03/17/17 C Omer Asik Illness out indefinitely
03/03/17 G Jarrett Jack Knee out indefinitely

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota -4.5

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