Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Sacramento Kings - 12/26/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Sacramento Kings

Date: Thursday, December 26, 2019

Location: Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA

TV: NBC Sports California

Odds/Point Spread: Sacramento -4

Total/Over-Under: 220

Harrison Barnes and the Sacramento Kings (12-18, 3rd in the Pacific Division) play the Minnesota Timberwolves (10-19, 5th in the Northwest Division) at Golden 1 Center on Thursday, December 26, 2019. The odds on this contest have Sacramento as 4 point favorites. The O/U is set at 220.

The Timberwolves are covering 37.0% of the time, having gone 10-17-2 ATS. Sacramento is covering 53.3% of the time, going 16-14-0 against the spread.

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/24/2019 Shabazz Napier PG Illness Game Time Decision
12/24/2019 Jake Layman SF Toe Game Time Decision
12/24/2019 Karl-Anthony Towns C Knee Game Time Decision

Key Sacramento Kings Injuries

12/24/2019 Bogdan Bogdanovic SG Ankle Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns comes into this contest averaging 26.5 points per game while playing 33.9 minutes per night this season. 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 currently sits at 80%. Andrew Wiggins averages 25.0 points per game in 35.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.1 assists per contest and 5.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

Harrison Barnes averages 15.6 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.0 rebounds per game and has 2.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Buddy Hield averages 20.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.0 rebounds per contest and 2.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 113.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -4.0 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 25th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 29th in the league. They average 45.8 rebounds per game and 22.3 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 24th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 14th with 15.4 per game. The Timberwolves allow 117.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 18th and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.2 rebounds a game which ranks 27th and they give up 24.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 17th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Sacramento is 25th in the league with 105.1 points per game this year. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -3.0. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 29th in the league in rebounding with 41.8 boards per game, and 23rd in assists per contest with 22.4. The Kings are 13th in turnovers per game with 15.5. The Kings surrender 108.0 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 18th in those defensive statistics. They rank 15th with 24.1 assists allowed per contest and 5th with 42.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Kings are 20th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.3, and their defensive rating of 112.2 is ranked 22nd. In terms of pace they are 8th in the league with 102.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 24th. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 4th in the league. Minnesota is 18th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 14th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Sacramento is 7th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 8th in the league. The Kings are 20th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.6, and their defensive rating of 110.6 is ranked 18th. In terms of pace they are 30th in the league with 97 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 19th. As a team they are 19th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota +4

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