Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Picks & Predictions 1/8/2019

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Chesapeake Energy Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Chesapeake Energy Arena to play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Oklahoma City as 7.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves have a record of 19-21. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of 0.6 as they average 111.4 points per game while giving up 110.8 per contest. The Thunder have an overall record of 25-14 this season. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They average 111.6 points per game and surrender 105.8, good for a point differential of 5.8.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 20-19-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 20-19-0 against the over/under

Important Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 22-16-0 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 16-21-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

01/06/19 PG Derrick Rose Ankle is questionable Tuesday vs Oklahoma City
01/03/19 SF Robert Covington Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

10/04/18 G Andre Roberson Knee is out indefinitely
01/02/19 G Alex Abrines Personal is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns comes into this contest averaging 22.2 points per game while playing 33.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 12.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 83%. Andrew Wiggins averages 17.3 points per game in 34.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.3 assists per contest and 3.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 72%.

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook averages 21.1 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 11.0 rebounds per game and has 10.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 62%. Paul George averages 26.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.0 rebounds per contest and 4.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 111.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 14th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.6 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 10th in the league. They average 44.4 rebounds per game and 24.6 assists per game, which ranks them 19th and 14th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 28th with 12.8 per game. The Timberwolves allow 110.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 30th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.0 rebounds a game which ranks 24th and they give up 25.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City is 13th in the league with 111.6 points per game this year. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 5.8. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 30th in the NBA. They are 2nd in the league in rebounding with 48.6 boards per game, and 24th in assists per contest with 22.3. The Thunder are 12th in turnovers per game with 14.3. The Thunder surrender 105.8 points per contest, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 14th with 23.9 assists allowed per contest and 18th with 45.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Thunder are 30th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 17.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 110.6, and their offensive rating of 111.1 is ranked 17th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 23rd. As a unit they are 22nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA. Minnesota is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 10th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 19th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 25th in the NBA. The Thunder are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 102.9, and their offensive rating of 108.5 is ranked 1st. They are 4th in the NBA in pace with 102.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 25th. As a unit they are 25th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -7.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn