Minnesota Timberwolves at Portland Blazers NBA Picks & Predictions 1/24/2018

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Moda Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Moda Center to play the Portland Blazers on Wednesday, January 24, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 2 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 31-18. They are 1st in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.6 as they are averaging 108.9 points per game while giving up 105.3 per contest. The Blazers have an overall mark of 25-22. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 104.1 points per contest and giving up 103.1, which is a point differential of 1.0.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 24-23-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 25-23-1 against the over/under

Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 21-23-3 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 19-28-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

01/23/18 F Jimmy Butler Knee is "?" Wednesday vs Portland
01/22/18 G Jamal Crawford Toe is "?" Wednesday vs Portland

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler comes into this contest averaging 21.7 points per game while playing 36.9 minutes per night so far this season for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 5.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 88%. Andrew Wiggins averages 18.2 points per game in 36.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.8 assists per contest and 4.2 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 64%.

Player Spotlight

Damian Lillard averages 25.2 points per game while playing 36.7 minutes per contest this year for the Blazers. He grabs 4.8 rebounds per game and has 6.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 92%. C.J. McCollum averages 21.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4 rebounds per contest and 3.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 88%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 108.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.57 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 5th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 41.9 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 23rd and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 12.8 per game. The Timberwolves allow 105.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 12th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 29th and 16th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.1 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 23.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 16 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 20th in the league with 104.1 points per game this year. They are 19th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 1.04. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 4th in the NBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 44.5 boards per game, and 30th in assists per contest with 19. The Blazers are 19th in turnovers per game with 14.3. The Blazers surrender 103.1 points per contest, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 19.8 assists allowed per contest and 13th with 42.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blazers are 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.2 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 109.6, and their offensive rating of 113.4 is ranked 8th. They are 23rd in the NBA in pace with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 11th. 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 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 22nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 25th in the league. The Blazers are 14th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.4, and their defensive rating of 106.4 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 96.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 22nd. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota -2

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