Monday, March 6, 2017

Target Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Portland Blazers travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, March 6, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 4 point favorites.

The Blazers come into this game with an overall record of 26-35. They are 4th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.3 as they are averaging 107.9 points per game while giving up 110.2 per contest. The Timberwolves have an overall record of 25-37. They currently are 5th in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 104.8 points per game and surrendering 105.1, good for a point differential of -0.3.

C.J. McCollum comes into this contest averaging 23.3 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Blazers. He pulls down 3.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 90%. Damian Lillard averages 26 points per game in 36 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.9 assists per contest and 5 rebounds per game for Portland. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 90%.

Karl-Anthony Towns averages 24 points per game while playing 36.7 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 12.3 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage currently is at 82%. Andrew Wiggins averages 23.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.1 rebounds per contest and 2.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 76%.

Portland averages 107.9 points per contest this season which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.33 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 13th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 43.3 rebounds per game and 21.8 assists per game which ranks them 18th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 14 per game. The Blazers allow 110.2 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 28th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.4 rebounds a game which ranks 21st and they give up 20.8 assists per contest which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 4th in the league.

Minnesota averages 104.8 points per game this year which ranks them 18th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -0.26 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them sitting in the 8th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the NBA. They average 43.1 rebounds per game and 23.5 assists per contest which ranks them 20th and 9th respectively. In the turnover department the Timberwolves rank 11th with 14.4 per game. The Timberwolves allow 105.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 13th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 26th and 13th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 40.6 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd and they give up 22.4 assists per contest which puts them in 12th place in the league. The Timberwolves force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the NBA.

The Blazers have an offensive rating of 109.6 and a defensive rating of 112. In terms of pace they average 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 52%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they shoot 3 pointers on 32% of their shots. Portland turns the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions and they force 11.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

The Timberwolves rating on offense is 110.1 and they have a defensive rating of 110.4. They get 94.6 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 51%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 55% and they attempt 3 pointers on 26% of their shot attempts. Minnesota turns the ball over on 13.2 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 13.2 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 53%.

Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 25-36-0 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 35-26-0 against the over/under

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 29-33-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 31-30-1 against the over/under

Portland Blazers Injuries

10/25/16 C Festus Ezeli Knee out for season
03/05/17 G Allen Crabbe Leg probable Monday vs. Minnesota
03/01/17 F Ed Davis Shoulder out for season
02/08/17 G Evan Turner Hand out indefinitely

Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

10/22/16 C Nikola Pekovic Ankle out for season
02/05/17 PG Zach LaVine Ankle out for season

Tony'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 Tony Sink