Boston Celtics at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 12/1/2018

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics head to Target Center to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, December 1, 2018. The opening line for this game has Minnesota as 1 point favorites.

The Celtics have a record of 11-10. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They have a point differential of 2.8 as they average 107.1 points per game while giving up 104.3 per contest. The Timberwolves have an overall record of 11-11 this season. They are 4th in the Northwest Division. They average 109.9 points per game and surrender 110.2, good for a point differential of -0.3.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 8-13-0 against the spread this season

The Boston Celtics are 11-10-0 against the over/under this year

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 12-10-0 against the spread this season

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 7-15-0 against the over/under this year

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

11/29/18 F Al Horford Rest is out Friday vs Cleveland
11/29/18 G Jaylen Brown Back is downgraded to out Friday vs Cleveland
10/29/18 F Daniel Theis Plantar Fasciitis is out indefinitely

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

10/20/18 PG Jerryd Bayless Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving comes into this game averaging 22.0 points per contest while playing 32.3 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.9 rebounds per contest and distributes 6.4 assists per game. His FG percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is 83%. Jayson Tatum averages 16.4 points per contest in 31.9 minutes per game. He averages 2.0 assists per game and 6.6 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins scores 14.9 points per contest while playing 32.7 minutes per game. He hauls in 3.7 rebounds per contest and has 2.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 37% and his free throw percentage is at 76%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 20.6 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 33.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 12.1 rebounds per game and has 2.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 107.1 points per contest, which is 23rd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 2.8 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a unit, which has them ranked 26th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They average 46.0 boards per contest and 24.4 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 25th with 13.2 per game. The Celtics allow 104.3 points per contest, which is 4th in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 3rd and 2nd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 46.5 rebounds a game which ranks 23rd, and they allow 22.0 assists per game which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 15.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 16th in the NBA with 109.9 points per contest this season. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -0.32. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 10th in the league. They are 19th in the NBA in rebounding with 44.2 boards per contest and 18th in assists per game with 23.4. The Timberwolves are 26th in turnovers per contest with 13.1. The Timberwolves give up 110.2 points per game, which ranks them 12th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 14th and 21st in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 25.2 dimes allowed per game and 26th with 47.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Timberwolves are 22nd in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 26th in the league in defensive rating with 104.2, and their offensive rating of 107 is ranked 2nd. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 99.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 21st. As a unit they are 23rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the NBA. Boston is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 26th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 28th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Timberwolves are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 110.4, and their offensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 17th. They are 15th in the NBA in pace with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 26th. As a unit they are 22nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 22nd in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Boston +1

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