Chicago Bulls at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 2/24/2018

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, February 24, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 11 point favorites.

The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 20-38. They are 5th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -5.8 as they are averaging 103.5 points per game while giving up 109.3 per contest. The Timberwolves have an overall mark of 36-25. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 109.7 points per contest and giving up 106.8, which is a point differential of 2.9.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 31-25-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 31-27-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 28-31-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 33-27-1 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

02/23/18 F Paul Zipser Foot left last game, is "?" Saturday vs Minnesota

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Zach Lavine comes into this contest averaging 17.3 points per game while playing 25.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 4.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage is currently at 80%. Lauri Markkanen averages 15.1 points per game in 30.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 7.7 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averages 17.5 points per game while playing 36.1 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per game and has 1.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 63%. Jimmy Butler averages 22.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.5 rebounds per contest and 5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 103.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 22nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -5.81 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 29th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 17th in the league. They average 44.8 rebounds per game and 23.6 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 7th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 13.7 per game. The Bulls allow 109.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 22nd and 19th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.8 rebounds a game which ranks 29th and they give up 25.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 6th in the league with 109.7 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 2.93. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They are 23rd in the league in rebounding with 41.7 boards per game, and 12th in assists per contest with 22.9. The Timberwolves are 29th in turnovers per game with 12.5. The Timberwolves surrender 106.8 points per contest, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 22nd with 24 assists allowed per contest and 3rd with 41.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 28th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.6 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 28th in the league in defensive rating with 110.1, and their offensive rating of 104.3 is ranked 8th. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 28th. As a unit they are 29th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 11th in the NBA. Chicago is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 7th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 30th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the league. The Timberwolves are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.9, and their defensive rating of 110.9 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 23rd in the league with 95.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 10th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota -11

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