Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs NBA Picks & Predictions 10/17/2018

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

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The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to AT&T Center to play the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has San Antonio as 3.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves head into this matchup after finishing last year with a mark of 47-35. They were 4th in the Northwest Division. They had a point differential of 2.2 as they averaged 109.5 points per contest while giving up 107.3 per game. The Spurs had an overall mark of 47-35 last year. They were 3rd in the Southwest Division. They averaged 102.7 points per contest and gave up 99.8, which was a point differential of 2.9.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves were 40-44-3 against the spread last season

The Minnesota Timberwolves were 48-38-0 against the over/under last year

Important San Antonio Spurs Betting Trends

The San Antonio Spurs were 43-40-4 against the spread last season

The San Antonio Spurs were 40-45-0 against the over/under last year

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key San Antonio Spurs Injuries

10/08/18 G Dejounte Murray ACL is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averaged 17.7 points per game in 36.3 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 2.0 assists per contest and 4.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 44% for the year while his free throw percentage was 64%. Karl-Anthony Towns comes into this contest after averaging 21.3 points per game while playing 35.6 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 12.3 rebounds per game and dished out 2.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 55% while his free throw percentage was at 86%.

Player Spotlight

DeMar DeRozan averaged 23.0 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 33.9 minutes per contest. He also averaged 3.9 rebounds per contest and 5.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 46% and his free throw percentage was 83%. LaMarcus Aldridge averaged 23.1 points per game while playing 33.5 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 8.5 rebounds per game and had 2.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 51% and his free throw percentage finished at 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allowed 107.3 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 17th in the league. They also allowed a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 29th and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 41.8 rebounds a game which ranked 3rd, and they gave up 23.9 assists per contest which put them in 21st place in the league. They forced 15.1 turnovers per game which ranked them 27th in the league. Minnesota averaged 109.5 points per contest last season, which ranked them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was 2.2 and their shooting percentage was 48% as a team, which had them ranked 5th. Behind the arc they shot 36% which was good for 19th in the league. They averaged 42.0 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per game, which ranked them 24th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 29th with 12.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Spurs surrendered 99.8 points per contest, which ranked them 1st in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 4th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 8th with 21.8 assists allowed per contest, and 11th with 42.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Spurs were 11th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per game last season. San Antonio was 27th in the league with 102.7 points per game last year. They were 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin was 2.9. They shot 35% from 3-point range, which was good for 26th in the NBA. They were 11th in the league in rebounding with 44.2 boards per game and 16th in assists per contest with 22.8. The Spurs were 27th in turnovers per game with 13.1.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves were 4th in the league in defensive rating with 111.1, and their offensive rating of 113.4 was ranked 27th. They were 24th in the NBA in pace with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% was 13th. As a unit they were 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shot 3-pointers on 26% of their shot attempts, ranking 30th in the NBA. Minnesota was 30th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 11.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 54%, which was 4th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

San Antonio was 26th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 51%, which was 24th in the league. The Spurs were 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.9, and their defensive rating of 104.8 was ranked 3rd. In terms of pace they were 28th in the league with 95 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% was 26th. As a team they were 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3-pointers on 28% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota -3.5

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