Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 4/15/2018

Sunday, April 15, 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 Sunday, April 15, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 9 point favorites.

The Timberwolves head into this matchup with a mark of 47-35. They are 4th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.2 as they are averaging 109.5 points per contest while giving up 107.3 per game. The Rockets have an overall mark of 65-17. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 112.4 points per contest and giving up 103.9, which is a point differential of 8.5.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 37-42-3 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 45-36-1 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 41-39-2 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 33-48-1 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

04/12/18 G Eric Gordon Ankle is "?" Sunday vs Minnesota
04/12/18 F Ryan Anderson Ankle is "?" Sunday vs Minnesota
04/11/18 F Luc Mbah a Moute Shoulder is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns comes into this contest averaging 21.3 points per game while playing 35.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 12.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 55% while his free throw percentage is currently at 86%. Andrew Wiggins averages 17.7 points per game in 36.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2 assists per contest and 4.4 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 64%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 30.4 points per game while playing 35.4 minutes per contest this year for the Rockets. He grabs 5.4 rebounds per game and has 8.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 86%. Eric Gordon averages 18 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.5 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 109.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.23 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 5th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 19th in the league. They average 42 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 24th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 12.5 per game. The Timberwolves allow 107.3 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 29th and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.8 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd and they give up 23.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 21st place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 27th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 2nd in the league with 112.4 points per game this year. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 8.48. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 13th in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 43.5 boards per game, and 26th in assists per contest with 21.5. The Rockets are 19th in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Rockets surrender 103.9 points per contest, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 22.4 assists allowed per contest and 4th with 42 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 21st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 111.1, and their offensive rating of 113.4 is ranked 3rd. They are 24th in the NBA in pace with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 13th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shot attempts, ranking 30th in the NBA. Minnesota is 30th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 5th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 19th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 18th in the NBA. The Rockets are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 106.1, and their offensive rating of 114.7 is ranked 25th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota +9

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