Minnesota Timberwolves at Philadelphia 76ers NBA Picks & Predictions 3/24/2018

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Wells Fargo Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Wells Fargo Center to play the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, March 24, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Philadelphia as 6.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 41-31. They are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.4 as they are averaging 110.0 points per game while giving up 107.6 per contest. The 76ers have an overall mark of 41-30. They currently are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 108.4 points per contest and giving up 105.5, which is a point differential of 2.9.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 33-37-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 41-30-1 against the over/under

Important Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers are 39-31-1 against the spread

The Philadelphia 76ers are 36-35-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

03/23/18 G Derrick Rose Ankle is downgraded to OUT Friday vs New York & Saturday vs Philadelphia
02/24/18 F Jimmy Butler Knee is out indefinitely

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

01/15/18 PG Markelle Fultz Shoulder is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns averages 20.9 points per game in 35.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.4 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 86%. Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 18.1 points per game while playing 36.2 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 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 65%.

Player Spotlight

Ben Simmons averages 16 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.9 rebounds per contest and 7.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage is 57%. Joel Embiid averages 23.4 points per game while playing 30.9 minutes per contest this year for the 76ers. He grabs 11.1 rebounds per game and has 3.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage currently is at 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 107.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 19th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 29th and 13th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.5 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd, and they give up 24 assists per contest which puts them in 21st place in the league. They force 15 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the league. Minnesota averages 110 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.39 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 3rd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 18th in the league. They average 41.8 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 24th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 12.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The 76ers surrender 105.5 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 5th with 21.5 assists allowed per contest, and 6th with 42 rebounds surrendered per game. The 76ers are 12th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per game this season. Philadelphia is 10th in the league with 108.4 points per game this year. They are 10th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 2.87. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 10th in the NBA. They are 1st in the league in rebounding with 46.8 boards per game and 3rd in assists per contest with 26.2. The 76ers are 1st in turnovers per game with 16.9.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 111.7, and their offensive rating of 114.2 is ranked 4th. They are 24th in the NBA in pace with 95.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 10th. As a unit they are 8th 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 29th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Philadelphia is 1st in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 29th in the league. The 76ers are 15th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.8, and their defensive rating of 105.9 is ranked 26th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 8th. As a team they are 10th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 13th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Timberwolves/76ers NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota +6.5

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