Saturday, March 25, 2017

Moda Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Moda Center to play the Portland Blazers on Saturday, March 25, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 2.5 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 Blazers have an overall record of 33-38. They currently are 4th in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 108.1 points per game and surrendering 109.5, good for a point differential of -1.4.

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 Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 31-40-0 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 40-31-0 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 Portland Blazers Injuries

03/18/17 C Festus Ezeli Knee out for season
03/01/17 F Ed Davis Shoulder 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

Damian Lillard averages 26.9 points per game while playing 35.9 minutes per contest this year for the Blazers. He grabs 4.8 rebounds per game and has 5.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 90%. C.J. McCollum averages 23.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.7 rebounds per contest and 3.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 91%.

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

Portland averages 108.1 points per game this year which ranks them 6th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -1.45 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them sitting in the 13th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 7th in the NBA. They average 43.8 rebounds per game and 21.4 assists per contest which ranks them 13th and 20th respectively. In the turnover department the Blazers rank 13th with 14.1 per game. The Blazers allow 109.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc ranking them 14th and 27th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 44.1 rebounds a game which ranks 19th and they give up 20.8 assists per contest which puts them in 4th place in the league. The Blazers force 12.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 6th 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 Blazers rating on offense is 109.8 and they have a defensive rating of 111.3. They get 96.9 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 52%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they attempt 3 pointers on 32% of their shot attempts. Portland turns the ball over on 12.7 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.5 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Portland -2.5

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