New York Knicks at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 1/12/2018

Friday, January 12, 2018

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New York Knicks head to Target Center to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, January 12, 2018. The opening line for this game has Minnesota as 9 point favorites.

The Knicks head into this matchup with a mark of 19-22. They are 4th in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.7 as they are averaging 103.6 points per contest while giving up 104.3 per game. The Timberwolves have an overall mark of 27-16. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 108.3 points per contest and giving up 104.7, which is a point differential of 3.6.

Valuable New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 22-19-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 19-21-1 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 20-21-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 21-21-1 against the over/under

Key New York Knicks Injuries

12/05/17 G Tim Hardaway Jr. Leg is out indefinitely

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Enes Kanter comes into this game averaging 13.4 points per contest while playing 25.2 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 10.1 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 60% while his free throw percentage is 87%. Kristaps Porzingis averages 23.7 points per contest in 33 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.2 assists per game and 6.7 rebounds per contest for New York. His field goal percentage is 44% for the season while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins has scored 17.8 points per contest while playing 36.3 minutes per game this season for the Timberwolves. He hauls in 4.1 rebounds per contest and has 1.7 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 63%. Jimmy Butler averages 21.6 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.9 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.4 rebounds per game and 5.2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 88%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 103.6 points per contest this year, which is 20th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -0.78 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 8th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They average 44.8 boards per contest and 22.5 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 17th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 9th with 15.4 per game. The Knicks allow 104.3 points per contest which is 11th in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 12th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.4 rebounds a game which ranks 4th, and they allow 22.5 assists per game which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 7th in the NBA with 108.3 points per contest this season. They are 6th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 3.67. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 25th in the league. They are 22nd in the NBA in rebounding with 41.9 boards per contest and 15th in assists per game with 22.6. The Timberwolves are 29th in turnovers per contest with 13. The Timberwolves give up 104.7 points per game, which ranks them 13th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 27th and 11th in those defensive statistics. They rank 22nd with 23.8 dimes allowed per game and 2nd with 41.1 boards surrendered per contest. The Timberwolves are 28th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 17th in the league in defensive rating with 107.8, and their offensive rating of 107 is ranked 16th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 95.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 22nd. As a unit they are 20th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 25% of their shot attempts, ranking 30th in the NBA. New York is 8th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 24th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 29th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 5th in the NBA. The Timberwolves are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 108.9, and their offensive rating of 112.7 is ranked 14th. They are 24th in the NBA in pace with 95.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% 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 28th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New York +9

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