Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 2/9/2018

Friday, February 9, 2018

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Friday, February 9, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 6 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 34-23. They are 1st in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.2 as they are averaging 109.5 points per game while giving up 106.3 per contest. The Bulls have an overall mark of 18-35. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They are averaging 103.5 points per contest and giving up 109.2, which is a point differential of -5.7.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 28-27-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 29-27-1 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 29-22-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 28-25-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

02/07/18 F Lauri Markkanen Personal is upgraded to probable Friday vs Minnesota
01/18/18 PG Kris Dunn Concussion is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns averages 20.1 points per game in 35.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.3 assists per contest and 12.2 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 55% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%. Jimmy Butler comes into this contest averaging 22.3 points per game while playing 37.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 5.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 86%.

Player Spotlight

Justin Holiday averages 13.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.5 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is 83%. Zach Lavine averages 15.6 points per game while playing 23.9 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 2.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage currently is at 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 106.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 30th and 21st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.4 rebounds a game which ranks 4th, and they give up 24.2 assists per contest which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 15.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league. Minnesota averages 109.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.25 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 4th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 19th in the league. They average 41.7 rebounds per game and 22.8 assists per game, which ranks them 22nd and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 12.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulls surrender 109.2 points per contest, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 21st and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 25.1 assists allowed per contest, and 30th with 46 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.1 per game this season. Chicago is 22nd in the league with 103.5 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -5.77. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 44.8 boards per game and 7th in assists per contest with 23.7. The Bulls are 22nd in turnovers per game with 13.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 110.4, and their offensive rating of 113.8 is ranked 6th. They are 24th in the NBA in pace with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 9th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shot attempts, ranking 29th in the NBA. Minnesota is 30th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 25th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 6th in the league. The Bulls are 29th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.1, and their defensive rating of 109.9 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 28th. As a team they are 29th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago +6

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