Philadelphia 76ers at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 12/12/2017

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Philadelphia 76ers travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 4 point favorites.

The 76ers head into this matchup with a mark of 13-13. They are 4th in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.6 as they are averaging 108.2 points per contest while giving up 108.8 per game. The Timberwolves have an overall mark of 16-11. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 107.1 points per contest and giving up 106.3, which is a point differential of 0.8.

Valuable Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers are 15-11-0 against the spread

The Philadelphia 76ers are 13-13-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 11-14-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 13-13-1 against the over/under

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

12/11/17 C Joel Embiid Back is "?" Tuesday vs Minnesota
12/10/17 F Robert Covington Back is doubtful Tuesday vs Minnesota
12/10/17 PG T.J. McConnell Shoulder is "?" Tuesday vs Minnesota
10/25/17 PG Markelle Fultz Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/11/17 F Nemanja Bjelica Foot is doubtful Tuesday vs Philadelphia

Player Spotlight

Joel Embiid comes into this contest averaging 23.5 points per game while playing 30.2 minutes per night so far this season for the 76ers. He pulls down 11.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 79%. Ben Simmons averages 18 points per game in 36 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.7 assists per contest and 9.2 rebounds per game for Philadelphia. His field goal percentage is 51% for the year while his free throw percentage is 57%.

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler averages 19 points per game while playing 37.1 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 5.5 rebounds per game and has 4.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage currently is at 84%. Andrew Wiggins averages 18.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 4 rebounds per contest and 1.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 64%.

Useful Team Statistics

Philadelphia averages 108.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.58 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 13th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 21st in the league. They average 48.7 rebounds per game and 25.9 assists per game, which ranks them 1st and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 1st with 17.5 per game. The 76ers allow 108.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 4th and 6th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.2 rebounds a game which ranks 10th and they give up 21.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 10th in the league with 107.1 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 0.81. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They are 20th in the league in rebounding with 42.3 boards per game, and 14th in assists per contest with 22.7. The Timberwolves are 25th in turnovers per game with 14.1. The Timberwolves surrender 106.3 points per contest, which ranks them 17th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 23rd with 24.2 assists allowed per contest and 3rd with 40.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 17th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.3 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The 76ers are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.9, and their defensive rating of 107.5 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 101.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 17th. As a team they are 18th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 18th in the league. Philadelphia is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 27th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 26th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 3rd in the league. The Timberwolves are 5th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.3, and their defensive rating of 110.5 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 23rd in the league with 95.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 12th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shots, ranking 28th in the league.

Who will win tonight's 76ers/Timberwolves NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota -4

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn