Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 1/18/2018

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Toyota Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Toyota Center to play the Houston Rockets on Thursday, January 18, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 6 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 29-17. They are 1st in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.9 as they are averaging 108.7 points per game while giving up 104.8 per contest. The Rockets have an overall mark of 30-12. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 114.6 points per contest and giving up 107.1, which is a point differential of 7.5.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 22-22-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 23-22-1 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 20-21-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 21-20-1 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

01/17/18 PG Chris Paul Possible Suspension is "?" Thursday vs Minnesota
01/17/18 G James Harden Hamstring is upgraded to "?" Thursday vs Minnesota
01/16/18 F Gerald Green Possible Suspension is "?" Thursday vs Minnesota
01/16/18 F Trevor Ariza Possible Suspension is "?" Thursday vs Minnesota
01/15/18 C Nene Hilario Knee is "?" Thursday vs Minnesota

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler averages 21.6 points per game in 36.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.1 assists per contest and 5.4 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%. Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 17.5 points per game while playing 36.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 4.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 62%.

Player Spotlight

Chris Paul averages 18.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.7 rebounds per contest and 9.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 92%. Eric Gordon averages 19.7 points per game while playing 32.7 minutes per contest this year for the Rockets. He grabs 2.3 rebounds per game and has 2.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage currently is at 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 104.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 12th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 29th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.2 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd, and they give up 23.7 assists per contest which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 16.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league. Minnesota averages 108.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.89 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 5th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 41.7 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 24th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 12.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets surrender 107.1 points per contest, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 24th in those defensive statistics. They rank 15th with 22.6 assists allowed per contest, and 2nd with 41.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 20th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15 per game this season. Houston is 2nd in the league with 114.6 points per game this year. They are 13th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 7.57. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 17th in the NBA. They are 14th in the league in rebounding with 44.1 boards per game and 15th in assists per contest with 22.5. The Rockets are 10th in turnovers per game with 15.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.1, and their defensive rating of 109 is ranked 11th. In terms of pace they are 24th in the league with 95.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 11th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league. Minnesota is 30th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 4th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 15th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 6th in the NBA. The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 107.3, and their offensive rating of 114.9 is ranked 17th. They are 7th in the NBA in pace with 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 3rd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 51% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Houston -6

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