Minnesota Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns NBA Picks & Predictions 12/15/2018

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Talking Stick Resort Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to play the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, December 15, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 10 point favorites.

The Timberwolves have a record of 13-15. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of -0.5 as they average 110.5 points per game while giving up 111.0 per contest. The Suns have an overall mark of 5-24. They currently are 5th in the Pacific Division. They total 102.1 points per contest and give up 113.2, which is a point differential of -11.1.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 15-13-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 10-18-0 against the over/under

Important Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns are 9-19-0 against the spread

The Phoenix Suns are 12-16-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

10/20/18 PG Jerryd Bayless Knee is out indefinitely

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

12/13/18 G Devin Booker Hamstring is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns averages 21.5 points per game in 33.6 minutes per contest. He averages 2.4 assists per contest and 11.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%. Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 16.4 points per game while playing 33.1 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage is at 72%.

Player Spotlight

Josh Jackson averages 8.9 points per game and he sees the court an average of 21.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.6 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is 66%. T.J. Warren averages 18.0 points per game while playing 29.2 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.0 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is at 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 111.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.3 rebounds a game which ranks 23rd, and they give up 25.6 assists per contest which puts them in 29th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league. Minnesota averages 110.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.5 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 5th in the league. They average 43.8 rebounds per game and 24.0 assists per contest, which ranks them 23rd and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Suns surrender 113.2 points per contest, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 25.3 assists allowed per contest, and 19th with 46.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Suns are 20th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.9 per game. Phoenix is 29th in the league with 102.1 points per game this year. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -11.1. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 26th in the NBA. They are 29th in the league in rebounding with 40.0 boards per game and 18th in assists per contest with 23.5. The Suns are 2nd in turnovers per game with 16.2.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 111.5, and their offensive rating of 111 is ranked 21st. They are 18th in the NBA in pace with 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 24th. As a unit they are 20th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA. Minnesota is 27th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 14th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 2nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the league. The Suns are 29th in the NBA in offensive rating with 102.2, and their defensive rating of 113.4 is ranked 26th. In terms of pace they are 21st in the league with 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 22nd. As a team they are 22nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 15th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Phoenix +10

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