Minnesota Timberwolves at Portland Blazers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/8/2018

Saturday, December 8, 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 Saturday, December 8, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 2 point favorites.

The Timberwolves head into this matchup with a mark of 13-12. They are 4th in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of 0.5 as they average 110.0 points per contest while giving up 109.5 per game. The Blazers have an overall mark of 14-11. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They total 112.3 points per contest and give up 110.6, which is a point differential of 1.7.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 14-11-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 9-16-0 against the over/under

Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 12-13-0 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 14-11-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

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

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

12/06/18 G CJ McCollum Ankle is questionable

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns comes into this contest averaging 21.3 points per game while playing 33.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 12.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 88%. Andrew Wiggins averages 15.6 points per game in 32.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.3 assists per contest and 3.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 71%.

Player Spotlight

Damian Lillard averages 27.2 points per game while playing 35.2 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 6.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 90%. CJ McCollum averages 21.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.8 rebounds per contest and 2.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 110.0 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 23rd. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 44.2 rebounds per game and 23.6 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 17th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 13.4 per game. The Timberwolves allow 109.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 11th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 11th and 19th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.2 rebounds a game which ranks 22nd and they give up 25.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 11th in the league with 112.3 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 1.7. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They are 2nd in the league in rebounding with 49.4 boards per game, and 28th in assists per contest with 20.8. The Blazers are 13th in turnovers per game with 14.4. The Blazers surrender 110.6 points per contest, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 14th and 27th in those defensive statistics. They rank 18th with 23.9 assists allowed per contest and 13th with 44.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blazers were 1st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.0 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.6, and their defensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 21st in the league with 99.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the league. Minnesota is 26th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 15th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 14th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 17th in the NBA. The Blazers are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 110.5, and their offensive rating of 112.2 is ranked 18th. They are 16th in the NBA in pace with 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 16th. As a unit they are 13th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 16th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota +2

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