Minnesota Timberwolves at Boston Celtics NBA Picks & Predictions 1/5/2018

Friday, January 5, 2018

TD Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to TD Garden to play the Boston Celtics on Friday, January 5, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 5.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 24-15. They are 1st in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.7 as they are averaging 108.4 points per game while giving up 105.7 per contest. The Celtics have an overall mark of 31-10. They currently are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 103.4 points per contest and giving up 98.2, which is a point differential of 5.2.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 17-20-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 20-18-1 against the over/under

Important Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 25-14-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 20-20-1 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/27/17 PG Jeff Teague Knee is out indefinitely

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/30/17 F Semi Ojeleye Back is out indefinitely
10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
01/04/18 C Aron Baynes Ankle injured last game, is probable Friday vs Minnesota

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averages 17.7 points per game in 36.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.7 assists per contest and 4 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 63%. Jimmy Butler comes into this contest averaging 21.8 points per game while playing 37.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 5.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is currently at 88%.

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum averages 14.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.5 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 83%. Kyrie Irving averages 24.4 points per game while playing 32.3 minutes per contest this year for the Celtics. He grabs 3.3 rebounds per game and has 4.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 105.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 14th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 30th and 22nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 40.9 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd, and they give up 24.1 assists per contest which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 16.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league. Minnesota averages 108.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.64 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 5th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 28th in the league. They average 41.3 rebounds per game and 22.6 assists per game, which ranks them 23rd and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 28th with 13.2 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics surrender 98.2 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 20.1 assists allowed per contest, and 23rd with 43.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Celtics are 11th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.2 per game this season. Boston is 20th in the league with 103.4 points per game this year. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 5.17. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 8th in the NBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 44.2 boards per game and 19th in assists per contest with 22.2. The Celtics are 19th in turnovers per game with 14.2.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 109.8, and their offensive rating of 112.5 is ranked 9th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 11th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shot attempts, ranking 28th in the NBA. Minnesota is 29th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 17th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 30th in the league. The Celtics are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.8, and their defensive rating of 102.4 is ranked 30th. In terms of pace they are 20th in the league with 95.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 10th. As a team they are 10th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Boston -5.5

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