Phoenix Suns at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 12/16/2017

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Phoenix Suns travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, December 16, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 11 point favorites.

The Suns come into this game with an overall record of 9-21. They are 5th in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -7.9 as they are averaging 106.6 points per game while giving up 114.5 per contest. The Timberwolves have an overall mark of 17-12. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 107.7 points per contest and giving up 106.3, which is a point differential of 1.4.

Valuable Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns are 14-15-1 against the spread

The Phoenix Suns are 17-13-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 12-15-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 15-13-1 against the over/under

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

12/06/17 SG Devin Booker Groin is out indefinitely
10/14/17 PG Brandon Knight Knee is out for season

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/14/17 F Nemanja Bjelica Foot is doubtful Saturday vs Phoenix

Player Spotlight

T.J. Warren comes into this contest averaging 18.7 points per game while playing 31.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Suns. He pulls down 5.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 77%. Mike James averages 10.8 points per game in 21.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.9 assists per contest and 2.9 rebounds per game for Phoenix. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler averages 19.8 points per game while playing 37.3 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 5.6 rebounds per game and has 4.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage currently is at 85%. Andrew Wiggins averages 18.4 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 1.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 64%.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix averages 106.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -7.83 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 29th in the league. They average 45.6 rebounds per game and 20 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 10th with 15.7 per game. The Suns allow 114.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 30th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 26th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.1 rebounds a game which ranks 28th and they give up 22.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 5th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 9th in the league with 107.7 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 1.34. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 20th in the league in rebounding with 42.4 boards per game, and 13th in assists per contest with 22.8. The Timberwolves are 27th in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Timberwolves surrender 106.3 points per contest, which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 15th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 24.5 assists allowed per contest and 3rd with 41 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.6 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Suns are 25th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.5, and their defensive rating of 112.2 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 101.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 28th. As a team they are 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league. Phoenix is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 12th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 28th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 4th in the league. The Timberwolves are 5th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.6, and their defensive rating of 110.2 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 95.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 13th. 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 Suns/Timberwolves NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota -11

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