Houston Rockets at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 4/21/2018

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in Game 3 of their 1st round series. The Rockets lead the series 2-0. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 4.5 point favorites.

The Rockets had a regular season record of 65-17. They were 1st in the Southwest Division. They currently had a point differential of 8.5 as they averaged 112.4 points per game while giving up 103.9 per contest. The Timberwolves had an overall record of 47-35 during the regular season. They finished the campaign 4th in the Northwest Division. They averaged 109.5 points per game and surrendered 107.3, good for a point differential of 2.2.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 42-40-2 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 34-49-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 39-42-3 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 45-38-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

04/18/18 F Ryan Anderson Ankle is "?" Saturday vs Minnesota
04/11/18 F Luc Mbah a Moute Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

James Harden comes into this contest averaging 30.4 points per game while playing 35.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 5.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 8.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 86%. Chris Paul averages 18.6 points per game in 31.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.9 assists per contest and 5.4 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 92%.

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns averages 21.3 points per game while playing 35.6 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 12.3 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 86%. Jimmy Butler averages 22.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.3 rebounds per contest and 4.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 112.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 8.48 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 43.5 rebounds per game and 21.5 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 19th with 13.8 per game. The Rockets allow 103.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 7th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 22.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 8th in the league with 109.5 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 2.23. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They are 24th in the league in rebounding with 42 boards per game, and 19th in assists per contest with 22.7. The Timberwolves are 29th in turnovers per game with 12.5. The Timberwolves surrender 107.3 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 18th in those defensive statistics. They rank 21st with 23.9 assists allowed per contest and 3rd with 41.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 27th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.1 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 1st in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.7, and their defensive rating of 106.1 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 2nd. As a team they are 2nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 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 30th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 5th in the league. The Timberwolves are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.4, and their defensive rating of 111.1 is ranked 3rd. In terms of pace they are 24th in the league with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 13th. As a team they are 9th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shots, ranking 30th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Houston -4.5

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