Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Picks & Predictions 12/23/2018

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Chesapeake Energy Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Chesapeake Energy Arena to play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, December 23, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Oklahoma City as 3 point favorites.

The Timberwolves have a record of 14-18. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of -0.8 as they average 110.8 points per game while giving up 111.6 per contest. The Thunder have an overall record of 20-10 this season. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They average 112.1 points per game and surrender 105.3, good for a point differential of 6.9.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 16-16-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 13-19-0 against the over/under

Important Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 17-13-0 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 14-16-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/21/18 PG Derrick Rose Ankle left last game, is questionable Sunday vs Oklahoma City
12/21/18 PG Jeff Teague Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

12/19/18 PG Dennis Schroder Suspension Served is probable Saturday vs Utah
12/19/18 PG Raymond Felton Suspension Served is probable Saturday vs Utah
10/04/18 G Andre Roberson Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 16.3 points per game while playing 32.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 77%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 21.0 points per game in 33.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.5 assists per contest and 11.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Paul George averages 25.5 points per game while playing 35.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.9 rebounds per game and has 4.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Dennis Schroder averages 16.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.0 rebounds per contest and 4.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 110.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.8 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 23rd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 10th in the league. They average 44.1 rebounds per game and 24.3 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 26th with 12.9 per game. The Timberwolves allow 111.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 28th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.2 rebounds a game which ranks 24th and they give up 25.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 15.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City is 11th in the league with 112.1 points per game this year. They are 17th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 6.9. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 30th in the NBA. They are 2nd in the league in rebounding with 48.7 boards per game, and 21st in assists per contest with 22.9. The Thunder are 10th in turnovers per game with 14.7. The Thunder surrender 105.3 points per contest, which ranks them 5th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 12th with 23.7 assists allowed per contest and 12th with 44.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Thunder were 30th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 17.5 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 14th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.8, and their defensive rating of 111.6 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% 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 11.3 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

Oklahoma City is 18th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 25th in the league. The Thunder are 19th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.6, and their defensive rating of 102.9 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 102.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 24th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota +3

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