Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs NBA Picks & Predictions 3/17/2018

Saturday, March 17, 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 Saturday, March 17, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has San Antonio as 5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 40-29. They are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.6 as they are averaging 109.8 points per game while giving up 107.2 per contest. The Spurs have an overall mark of 39-30. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 102.2 points per contest and giving up 99.3, which is a point differential of 2.9.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 32-35-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 38-30-1 against the over/under

Important San Antonio Spurs Betting Trends

The San Antonio Spurs are 35-32-2 against the spread

The San Antonio Spurs are 30-39-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

02/24/18 F Jimmy Butler Knee is out indefinitely

Key San Antonio Spurs Injuries

03/16/18 G Dejounte Murray Ankle injured last game, is "?" Saturday vs Minnesota
01/17/18 SF Kawhi Leonard Quad is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns averages 20.7 points per game in 35.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.4 assists per contest and 12.2 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 55% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%. Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 17.9 points per game while playing 36.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 4.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is currently at 64%.

Player Spotlight

Patty Mills averages 9.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 24.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 1.9 rebounds per contest and 2.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 87%. Rudy Gay averages 11.1 points per game while playing 21.8 minutes per contest this year for the Spurs. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 1.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage currently is at 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 107.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 16th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 29th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.7 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd, and they give up 23.8 assists per contest which puts them in 19th place in the league. They force 15.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the league. Minnesota averages 109.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.65 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 3rd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 41.9 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 24th and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 30th with 12.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Spurs surrender 99.3 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 21.6 assists allowed per contest, and 14th with 42.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Spurs are 13th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per game this season. San Antonio is 28th in the league with 102.2 points per game this year. They are 17th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 2.9. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 44.3 boards per game and 13th in assists per contest with 22.9. The Spurs are 26th in turnovers per game with 13.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.9, and their defensive rating of 111.1 is ranked 6th. In terms of pace they are 24th in the league with 95.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 11th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league. Minnesota is 29th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

San Antonio is 25th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 25th in the league. The Spurs are 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.3, and their defensive rating of 104.3 is ranked 28th. In terms of pace they are 28th in the league with 95.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 24th. As a team they are 25th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take San Antonio -5

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