Milwaukee Bucks at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 2/1/2018

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Milwaukee Bucks travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, February 1, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 3 point favorites.

The Bucks head into this matchup with a mark of 27-22. They are 2nd in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.1 as they are averaging 105.2 points per contest while giving up 105.3 per game. The Timberwolves have an overall mark of 32-22. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 108.9 points per contest and giving up 106.0, which is a point differential of 2.9.

Valuable Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 21-23-5 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 26-22-1 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 26-26-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 27-26-1 against the over/under

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

11/21/17 F Mirza Teletovic Lung is out indefinitely
01/31/18 PG Eric Bledsoe Ankle is "?" Thursday vs Minnesota
01/29/18 F Jabari Parker Knee is upgraded to probable Friday vs New York

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton comes into this contest averaging 20.4 points per game while playing 37.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Bucks. He pulls down 5.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is currently at 87%. Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 28.5 points per game in 37.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.7 assists per contest and 10.3 rebounds per game for Milwaukee. His field goal percentage is 55% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%.

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averages 18.1 points per game while playing 36.1 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per game and has 1.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 64%. Jimmy Butler averages 21.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.4 rebounds per contest and 5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee averages 105.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.18 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 4th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 38.7 rebounds per game and 22.6 assists per game, which ranks them 30th and 14th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.7 per game. The Bucks allow 105.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 11th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 22nd and 20th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.7 rebounds a game which ranks 5th and they give up 22.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 15.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 6th in the league with 108.9 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 2.91. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 26th in the NBA. They are 23rd in the league in rebounding with 41.7 boards per game, and 15th in assists per contest with 22.6. The Timberwolves are 29th in turnovers per game with 12.5. The Timberwolves surrender 106 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 30th and 21st in those defensive statistics. They rank 23rd with 24.2 assists allowed per contest and 4th with 41.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 28th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Bucks are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.5, and their defensive rating of 109.7 is ranked 7th. In terms of pace they are 23rd in the league with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 24th in the league. Milwaukee is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 13th 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 14.7 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 113.4, and their defensive rating of 110.4 is ranked 6th. In terms of pace they are 24th in the league with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 12th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Milwaukee +3

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 Josh Schonwald