Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Milwaukee Bucks - 1/1/20 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Milwaukee Bucks

Date: Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Location: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Milwaukee -5.5

Total/Over-Under: 222

Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves (12-20, 5th in the Northwest Division) head to Fiserv Forum on Wednesday where they'll take on the Milwaukee Bucks (30-5, 1st in the Central Division). Minnesota opens this matchup as 5.5 point underdogs. The total has been set at 222.

The Timberwolves cover the spread 40.0% of the time, having gone 12-18-2 ATS. Milwaukee is covering 60.0% of the time, going 21-14-0 against the spread.

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/30/2019 Noah Vonleh PF Back Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/30/2019 Andrew Wiggins SF Illness Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/30/2019 Karl-Anthony Towns C Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/30/2019 Treveon Graham SG Illness Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/29/2019 Jake Layman SF Toe Expected to be out until at least Jan 1

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

12/30/2019 Wesley Matthews SG Thigh Expected to be out until at least Jan 1

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averages 24.8 points per game in 35.8 minutes per contest. He averages 3.3 assists per contest and 5.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 75%. Karl-Anthony Towns comes into this contest averaging 26.5 points per game while playing 33.9 minutes per night. He pulls down 11.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton averages 19.0 points per game and he sees the court an average of 28.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.6 rebounds per contest and 3.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 89%. Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 30.3 points per game while playing 30.9 minutes per contest. He grabs 12.8 rebounds per game and has 5.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage is at 60%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 115.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 22nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.5 rebounds a game which ranks 30th, and they give up 23.7 assists per contest which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 15.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 20th in the league. Minnesota averages 112.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.6 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 29th in the league. They average 46.6 rebounds per game and 22.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 6th and 24th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 12th with 15.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bucks surrender 106.6 points per contest, which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 23rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 19th with 24.2 assists allowed per contest, and 16th with 45.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bucks are 15th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.8 per game. Milwaukee is 1st in the league with 119.8 points per game this year. They are 1st in the league in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 13.3. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 1st in the league in rebounding with 51.7 boards per game and 6th in assists per contest with 26.2. The Bucks are 16th in turnovers per game with 15.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.9, and their defensive rating of 110.3 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 8th in the league with 102.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 23rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 4th in the league. Minnesota is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 15th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Milwaukee is 20th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 30th in the NBA. The Bucks are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 101.6, and their offensive rating of 114.2 is ranked 1st. They are 1st in the NBA in pace with 104.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 56% is 1st. As a unit they are 1st in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Minnesota +5.5

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