Detroit Pistons at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 12/19/2018

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Target Center

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The Detroit Pistons travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 5.5 point favorites.

The Pistons have a record of 14-14. They are 3rd in the Central Division. They have a point differential of -0.9 as they average 109.0 points per game while giving up 109.9 per contest. The Timberwolves have an overall record of 14-16 this season. They are 4th in the Northwest Division. They average 110.8 points per game and surrender 110.6, good for a point differential of 0.2.

Valuable Detroit Pistons Betting Trends

The Detroit Pistons are 14-13-0 against the spread

The Detroit Pistons are 13-13-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 15-14-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 10-19-0 against the over/under

Key Detroit Pistons Injuries

12/12/18 G Glenn Robinson III Ankle is out indefinitely
12/07/18 PG Ish Smith Groin is out indefinitely

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/17/18 PG Jeff Teague Ankle is questionable Wednesday vs Detroit
10/20/18 PG Jerryd Bayless Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Blake Griffin comes into this contest averaging 25.4 points per game while playing 35.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 9.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 74%. Reggie Jackson averages 15.0 points per game in 28.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.3 assists per contest and 2.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averages 16.3 points per game while playing 32.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per game and has 2.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is at 74%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 21.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.9 rebounds per contest and 2.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Detroit averages 109.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.9 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 29th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 28th in the league. They average 47.5 rebounds per game and 21.9 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 25th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 15th with 14.3 per game. The Pistons allow 109.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 13th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 19th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.4 rebounds a game which ranks 15th and they give up 23.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 15th in the league with 110.8 points per game this year. They are 23rd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 0.2. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 7th in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 44.2 boards per game, and 13th in assists per contest with 24.5. The Timberwolves are 25th in turnovers per game with 13.2. The Timberwolves surrender 110.6 points per contest, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 12th and 25th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 25.6 assists allowed per contest and 23rd with 46.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.1 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Pistons are 23rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.5, and their defensive rating of 108.4 is ranked 12th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 99.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 30th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league. Detroit is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 18th in the league.

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 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 14th in the NBA. The Timberwolves are 14th in the league in defensive rating with 110.8, and their offensive rating of 111 is ranked 17th. They are 14th in the NBA in pace with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 25th. As a unit they are 21st in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Minnesota -5.5

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