Portland Blazers at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 12/18/2017

Monday, December 18, 2017

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Portland Blazers head to Target Center to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, December 18, 2017.

The Blazers head into this matchup with a mark of 16-13. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.2 as they are averaging 102.7 points per contest while giving up 100.5 per game. The Timberwolves have an overall mark of 17-13. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 107.6 points per contest and giving up 106.4, which is a point differential of 1.2.

Valuable Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 13-14-2 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 8-21-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 12-16-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 15-14-1 against the over/under

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/14/17 F Nemanja Bjelica Foot is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Damian Lillard comes into this game averaging 25.8 points per contest while playing 37.1 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 5 rebounds per contest and distributes 6.2 assists per game. His FG percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is 93%. C.J. McCollum averages 21.4 points per contest in 36.7 minutes per game this year. He averages 2.8 assists per game and 4 rebounds per contest for Portland. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler has scored 19.5 points per contest while playing 37.3 minutes per game this season for the Timberwolves. He hauls in 5.6 rebounds per contest and has 4.8 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. Andrew Wiggins averages 18.2 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.9 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.9 rebounds per game and 1.8 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 63%.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland averages 102.7 points per contest this year, which is 22nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 2.14 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a unit, which has them ranked 25th. From 3-point territory they shoot 38%, which is good for 9th in the NBA. They average 45.6 boards per contest and 18 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 15th with 15 per game. The Blazers allow 100.5 points per contest which is 5th in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 5th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.7 rebounds a game which ranks 8th, and they allow 18.2 assists per game which puts them in 1st place in the league. They force 13 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 9th in the NBA with 107.6 points per contest this season. They are 9th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 1.23. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 18th in the league. They are 21st in the NBA in rebounding with 42 boards per contest and 12th in assists per game with 22.7. The Timberwolves are 27th in turnovers per contest with 13.6. The Timberwolves give up 106.4 points per game, which ranks them 20th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 29th and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 24.4 dimes allowed per game and 5th with 41.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Timberwolves are 25th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Blazers are 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.7, and their defensive rating of 103.5 is ranked 29th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 25th. As a team they are 22nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league. Portland is 18th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 29th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 29th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 4th in the NBA. The Timberwolves are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 110.2, and their offensive rating of 111.5 is ranked 6th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 95.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shot attempts, ranking 28th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Portland

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