Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 2/23/2018

Friday, February 23, 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 Friday, February 23, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 7.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 36-25. They are 1st in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.9 as they are averaging 109.7 points per game while giving up 106.8 per contest. The Rockets have an overall mark of 44-13. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 114.1 points per contest and giving up 105.4, which is a point differential of 8.7.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 28-31-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 33-27-1 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 28-28-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 26-30-1 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

02/21/18 F Trevor Ariza Hamstring is upgraded to probable Friday vs Minnesota
02/19/18 G Eric Gordon Knee is probable Friday vs Minnesota

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler averages 22.4 points per game in 37.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5 assists per contest and 5.5 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%. 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 4.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is currently at 63%.

Player Spotlight

Chris Paul averages 19.2 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 8.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 91%. James Harden averages 31.3 points per game while playing 35.8 minutes per contest this year for the Rockets. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 106.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 20th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 29th and 22nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.4 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd, and they give up 24 assists per contest which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 15.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league. Minnesota averages 109.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.93 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 4th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 21st in the league. They average 41.7 rebounds per game and 22.9 assists per game, which ranks them 24th and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 12.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets surrender 105.4 points per contest, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 20th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 15th with 23.1 assists allowed per contest, and 2nd with 41.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 16th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per game this season. Houston is 2nd in the league with 114.1 points per game this year. They are 13th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 8.72. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 15th in the league in rebounding with 43.6 boards per game and 22nd in assists per contest with 21.9. The Rockets are 20th in turnovers per game with 13.9.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 110.9, and their offensive rating of 113.9 is ranked 5th. They are 23rd in the NBA in pace with 95.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 10th. 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 14.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 22nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 9th in the league. The Rockets are 1st in the NBA in offensive rating with 115.7, and their defensive rating of 106.9 is ranked 23rd. In terms of pace they are 10th in the league with 98.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 2nd. As a team they are 2nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 51% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -7.5

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