Sacramento Kings at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 12/14/2017

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Sacramento Kings travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, December 14, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 10.5 point favorites.

The Kings head into this matchup with a mark of 9-18. They are 4th in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -8.8 as they are averaging 96.2 points per contest while giving up 105.0 per game. The Timberwolves have an overall mark of 16-12. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 107.3 points per contest and giving up 106.7, which is a point differential of 0.6.

Valuable Sacramento Kings Betting Trends

The Sacramento Kings are 12-12-3 against the spread

The Sacramento Kings are 14-13-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 11-15-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 14-13-1 against the over/under

Key Sacramento Kings Injuries

10/18/17 F Harry Giles Knee is out indefinitely

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/12/17 F Nemanja Bjelica Foot is doubtful Thursday vs Sacramento

Player Spotlight

De'Aaron Fox averages 10 points per game in 26.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.9 assists per contest and 3 rebounds per game for Sacramento. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 68%. Zach Randolph comes into this contest averaging 15.2 points per game while playing 26 minutes per night so far this season for the Kings. He pulls down 7 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is currently at 77%.

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averages 18.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.1 rebounds per contest and 1.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 63%. Jimmy Butler averages 19.8 points per game while playing 37.4 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 5.5 rebounds per game and has 4.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage currently is at 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Kings allow 105 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 27th and 28th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.8 rebounds a game which ranks 21st, and they give up 24.1 assists per contest which puts them in 23rd place in the league. They force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the league. Sacramento averages 96.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -8.78 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 24th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 5th in the league. They average 39.9 rebounds per game and 20.4 assists per game, which ranks them 28th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 14.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves surrender 106.7 points per contest, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 14th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 24.5 assists allowed per contest, and 3rd with 40.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.7 per game this season. Minnesota is 9th in the league with 107.3 points per game this year. They are 9th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 0.57. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 19th in the league in rebounding with 42.5 boards per game and 15th in assists per contest with 22.6. The Timberwolves are 26th in turnovers per game with 14.

Advanced Statistics

The Kings are 29th in the league in defensive rating with 110.3, and their offensive rating of 101 is ranked 7th. They are 28th in the NBA in pace with 94.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 26th. As a unit they are 29th in the league in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shot attempts, ranking 30th in the NBA. Sacramento is 11th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 3rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 28th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 2nd in the NBA. The Timberwolves are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 110.3, and their offensive rating of 110.9 is ranked 5th. They are 23rd in the NBA in pace with 96 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 Kings/Timberwolves NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Minnesota -10.5

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