Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs NBA Picks & Predictions 12/21/2018

Friday, December 21, 2018

AT&T Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to AT&T Center to play the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, December 21, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has San Antonio as 3.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves have a record of 14-17. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of 0.0 as they average 111.2 points per game while giving up 111.2 per contest. The Spurs have an overall record of 17-15 this season. They are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They average 111.2 points per game and surrender 109.9, good for a point differential of 1.3.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 16-14-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 11-19-0 against the over/under

Important San Antonio Spurs Betting Trends

The San Antonio Spurs are 16-14-1 against the spread

The San Antonio Spurs are 17-14-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/19/18 PG Jeff Teague Ankle is questionable Friday vs San Antonio

Key San Antonio Spurs Injuries

11/11/18 C Pau Gasol Foot is out indefinitely
10/08/18 G Dejounte Murray ACL is out for season

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 16.3 points per game while playing 33.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 75%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 21.3 points per game in 33.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.5 assists per contest and 11.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

LaMarcus Aldridge averages 18.9 points per game while playing 32.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 9.4 rebounds per game and has 2.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. DeMar DeRozan averages 23.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.6 rebounds per contest and 6.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 111.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.0 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 23rd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 9th in the league. They average 44.3 rebounds per game and 24.4 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 26th with 13.0 per game. The Timberwolves allow 111.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 19th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 12th and 25th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.0 rebounds a game which ranks 23rd and they give up 25.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 15.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

San Antonio is 13th in the league with 111.2 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 1.3. They shoot 40% from 3-point range, which is good for 1st in the NBA. They are 17th in the league in rebounding with 44.4 boards per game, and 17th in assists per contest with 24.1. The Spurs are 29th in turnovers per game with 12.0. The Spurs surrender 109.9 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 16th in those defensive statistics. They rank 21st with 24.5 assists allowed per contest and 10th with 43.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Spurs are 5th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.4 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 14th in the league in defensive rating with 111.1, and their offensive rating of 111.1 is ranked 19th. They are 14th in the NBA in pace with 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 25th. As a unit they are 21st in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 26th in the NBA. Minnesota is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 14th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

San Antonio is 29th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 10.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 8th in the NBA. The Spurs are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 111.7, and their offensive rating of 113 is ranked 20th. They are 25th in the NBA in pace with 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 11th. As a unit they are 8th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shot attempts, ranking 30th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take San Antonio -3.5

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