Houston Rockets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Expert NBA Picks Against the Spread 11/16/2019

Game: Houston Rockets vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2019

Location: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN

TV: Fox Sports North

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -3.5

Total/Over-Under: 220

Target Center is the venue where Andrew Wiggins and the Minnesota Timberwolves (7-4, 3rd in the Northwest Division) will play the Houston Rockets (8-3, 1st in the Southwest Division) on Saturday. Houston opens this matchup as 3.5 point favorites. The total is set at 220.

The Rockets are covering the spread 36.4% of the time, having gone 4-7-0 ATS. Minnesota is covering 60.0% of the time, going 6-4-1 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

11/14/2019 Clint Capela C Concussion Expected to be out until at least Nov 16
11/14/2019 Russell Westbrook G Rest Game Time Decision
11/13/2019 Jr SF Back Game Time Decision
11/12/2019 Eric Gordon SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Dec 13
11/11/2019 Nene C Hip Expected to be out until at least Dec 1
10/28/2019 Gerald Green SG Foot Expected to be out until at least Apr 15

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

11/14/2019 Jeff Teague PG Illness Game Time Decision
11/13/2019 Jordan Bell PF Shoulder Game Time Decision
11/13/2019 Shabazz Napier PG Hamstring Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook comes into this contest averaging 21.4 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 8.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 66%. James Harden averages 38.2 points per game in 36.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 8.2 assists per contest and 5.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 89%.

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averages 25.9 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 3.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 74%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 25.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 12.0 rebounds per contest and 4.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 74%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 118.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.6 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 47.3 rebounds per game and 22.2 assists per game, which ranks them 8th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 14th with 16.2 per game. The Rockets allow 116.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 21st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.6 rebounds a game which ranks 26th and they give up 25.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 15.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 5th in the league with 117.2 points per game this year. They are 24th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 1.0. They shoot 31% from 3-point range, which is good for 28th in the NBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 47.4 boards per game, and 17th in assists per contest with 23.9. The Timberwolves are 16th in turnovers per game with 16.0. The Timberwolves surrender 116.2 points per contest, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 39% average from 3-point range, ranking them 22nd and 29th in those defensive statistics. They rank 18th with 24.2 assists allowed per contest and 24th with 47.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 28th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 18.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 108.4, and their offensive rating of 110.8 is ranked 17th. They are 2nd in the NBA in pace with 107.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 11th. As a unit they are 6th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 51% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA. Houston is 15th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 13th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 21st in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 14th in the league. The Timberwolves are 16th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.9, and their defensive rating of 107 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 105.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 24th. As a team they are 24th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota +3.5

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