Monday, April 3, 2017

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Portland Blazers travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, April 3, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 1 point favorites.

The Blazers come into this game with an overall record of 38-38. They are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.7 as they are averaging 108.3 points per game while giving up 109.0 per contest. The Timberwolves have an overall record of 30-45. They currently are 5th in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 105.2 points per game and surrendering 105.9, good for a point differential of -0.7.

Valuable Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 36-40-0 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 42-34-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 34-41-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 39-35-1 against the over/under

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

03/31/17 C Jusuf Nurkic Leg out indefinitely
03/18/17 C Festus Ezeli Knee out for season
03/01/17 F Ed Davis Shoulder out for season

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

Player Spotlight

C.J. McCollum comes into this contest averaging 23.2 points per game while playing 34.9 minutes per night so far this season for the Blazers. He pulls down 3.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 91%. Damian Lillard averages 26.7 points per game in 35.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.9 assists per contest and 4.9 rebounds per game for Portland. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 89%.

For expert handicapping advice on this matchup and other NBA games check out our handicapping tips.

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns averages 24.7 points per game while playing 37 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 12.1 rebounds per game and has 2.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage currently is at 83%. Andrew Wiggins averages 23.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 4 rebounds per contest and 2.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland averages 108.3 points per contest this season which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.75 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 13th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 43.9 rebounds per game and 21.4 assists per game which ranks them 12th and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 13th with 14 per game. The Blazers allow 109 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc ranking them 13th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.9 rebounds a game which ranks 18th and they give up 20.7 assists per contest which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 12.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 5th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 105.2 points per game this year which ranks them 15th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -0.68 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 19th in the NBA. They average 42.4 rebounds per game and 23.5 assists per contest which ranks them 25th and 9th respectively. In the turnover department the Timberwolves rank 11th with 14.2 per game. The Timberwolves allow 105.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 28th and 18th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 40.3 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 22.7 assists per contest which puts them in 15th place in the league. The Timberwolves force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 19th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

The Blazers have an offensive rating of 110.2 and a defensive rating of 110.9. In terms of pace they average 96.9 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 12.7 times per 100 possessions and they force 11.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves rating on offense is 110.6 and they have a defensive rating of 111.3. They get 94.5 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 51%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they attempt 3 pointers on 25% of their shot attempts. Minnesota turns the ball over on 13 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 13.4 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 53%.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota +1

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