Boston Celtics at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 3/8/2018

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, March 8, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 2 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup with a mark of 45-20. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 4.3 as they are averaging 104.4 points per contest while giving up 100.1 per game. The Timberwolves have an overall record of 38-28. They currently are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 109.7 points per game and surrendering 107.0, good for a point differential of 2.7.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 39-24-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 33-30-2 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 30-34-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 36-29-1 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
03/07/18 G Kyrie Irving Knee is "?" Thursday vs Minnesota

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

02/24/18 F Jimmy Butler Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving averages 24.8 points per game in 32.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.1 assists per contest and 3.7 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 89%. Al Horford comes into this contest averaging 12.8 points per game while playing 31.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 7.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is currently at 74%.

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averages 17.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.1 rebounds per contest and 1.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 64%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 20.4 points per game while playing 35 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 12.2 rebounds per game and has 2.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage currently is at 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics allow 100.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 2nd in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.8 rebounds a game which ranks 20th, and they give up 20.6 assists per contest which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 7th in the league. Boston averages 104.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.31 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 4th in the league. They average 44.3 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 13.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves surrender 107 points per contest, which ranks them 17th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 20th with 23.8 assists allowed per contest, and 3rd with 41.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 28th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.5 per game this season. Minnesota is 6th in the league with 109.7 points per game this year. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 2.73. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 24th in the league in rebounding with 41.8 boards per game and 16th in assists per contest with 22.6. The Timberwolves are 30th in turnovers per game with 12.5.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 16th in the league in defensive rating with 103.6, and their offensive rating of 108.1 is ranked 30th. They are 21st in the NBA in pace with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 15th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 6th in the NBA. Boston is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 30th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 29th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the NBA. The Timberwolves are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 111, and their offensive rating of 113.8 is ranked 5th. They are 23rd in the NBA in pace with 95.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 11th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shot attempts, ranking 29th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Boston -2

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