Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves - 12/28/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Date: Saturday, December 28, 2019

Location: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN

TV: Fox Sports North

Odds/Point Spread: Minnesota -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 222

Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers (9-21, 5th in the Central Division) head to Target Center on Saturday where they'll take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (11-19, 5th in the Northwest Division). The odds on this matchup have Minnesota as 6.5 point favorites. The total opens at 222.

The Cavaliers cover the spread 41.4% of the time, having gone 12-17-1 ATS. Minnesota is covering 39.3% of the time, going 11-17-2 against the spread.

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/23/2019 Dylan Windler SG Lower Leg Game Time Decision
12/23/2019 Dante Exum PG Not Injury Related Game Time Decision
12/23/2019 Jr PF Knee Game Time Decision

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/26/2019 Karl-Anthony Towns C Knee Expected to be out until at least Dec 28
12/25/2019 Jake Layman SF Toe Expected to be out until at least Dec 28

Player Spotlight

Kevin Love comes into this contest averaging 16.2 points per game while playing 30.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 10.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 85%. Collin Sexton averages 17.8 points per game in 30.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.4 assists per contest and 3.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns averages 26.5 points per game while playing 33.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 11.7 rebounds per game and has 4.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 80%. Andrew Wiggins averages 24.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.4 rebounds per contest and 3.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland averages 104.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -9.0 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 23rd. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 25th in the league. They average 44.2 rebounds per game and 21.5 assists per game, which ranks them 21st and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 3rd with 16.2 per game. The Cavaliers allow 113.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 49% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 29th and 28th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.5 rebounds a game which ranks 6th and they give up 25.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 7th in the league with 112.7 points per game this year. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -3.9. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 29th in the NBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 46.4 boards per game, and 24th in assists per contest with 22.3. The Timberwolves are 13th in turnovers per game with 15.4. The Timberwolves surrender 116.6 points per contest, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 24th in those defensive statistics. They rank 16th with 24.1 assists allowed per contest and 28th with 47.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 17th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.0 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers are 26th in the league in defensive rating with 114.3, and their offensive rating of 105.2 is ranked 29th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 25th. As a unit they are 26th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA. Cleveland is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 56%, which is 2nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 18th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Timberwolves are 19th in the league in defensive rating with 111.4, and their offensive rating of 107.7 is ranked 20th. They are 9th in the NBA in pace with 102.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 26th. As a unit they are 23rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota -6.5

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