Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 12/26/2018

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves head to United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, December 26, 2018. The opening line for this game has Minnesota as 5.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves have a record of 15-18. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of -0.8 as they average 110.9 points per game while giving up 111.6 per contest. The Bulls have an overall record of 9-25 this season. They are 4th in the Central Division. They average 100.9 points per game and surrender 110.0, good for a point differential of -9.1.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 17-16-0 against the spread this season

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 14-19-0 against the over/under this year

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 16-17-1 against the spread this season

The Chicago Bulls are 11-23-0 against the over/under this year

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/23/18 PG Derrick Rose Ankle is questionable Wednesday vs Chicago12/21/18 PG Jeff Teague Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/23/18 PG Cameron Payne Calf is questionable Wednesday vs Minnesota12/23/18 F Jabari Parker Illness is questionable Wednesday vs Minnesota12/20/18 F Bobby Portis Ankle is out indefinitely12/15/18 PG Zach LaVine Ankle is out indefinitely10/20/18 G Denzel Valentine Ankle is out for season

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns averages 20.9 points per contest in 33.2 minutes per game this year. He averages 2.6 assists per game and 11.4 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 48% for the season while his free throw percentage is 86%. Andrew Wiggins comes into this game averaging 16.7 points per contest while playing 33.3 minutes per night. He grabs 4.1 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.2 assists per game. His FG percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage is 75%.

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen averages 17.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 29.8 minutes per game. He also hauls in 6.7 rebounds per game and dishes 1.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 83%. Justin Holiday scores 12.2 points per contest while playing 35.1 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.6 rebounds per contest and has 2.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is at 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 111.6 points per contest which is 22nd in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 14th and 28th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 46.1 rebounds a game which ranks 25th, and they allow 25.6 assists per game which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 15.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Minnesota averages 110.9 points per contest, which is 15th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -0.8 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 22nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 7th in the NBA. They average 44.0 boards per contest and 24.3 assists per game, which ranks them 21st and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 25th with 13.0 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulls give up 110.0 points per game, which ranks them 15th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 13th and 15th in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 24.2 dimes allowed per game and 28th with 48.1 boards surrendered per contest. The Bulls are 15th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.0 per contest. Chicago is 29th in the NBA with 100.9 points per contest this season. They are 26th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -9.1. They shoot 34% from beyond the arc, which is good for 21st in the league. They are 26th in the NBA in rebounding with 41.5 boards per contest and 26th in assists per game with 21.7. The Bulls are 7th in turnovers per contest with 15.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 14th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.8, and their defensive rating of 111.5 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 25th. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league. Minnesota is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 10th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 4th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Bulls are 30th in the league in defensive rating with 110.4, and their offensive rating of 101.3 is ranked 17th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 98.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 26th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA.

So what is Tonights Parlay prediction?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Chicago +5.5 and under 222 total points

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