Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves - 1/2/20 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Date: Thursday, January 2, 2020

Location: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Minnesota -4.5

Total/Over-Under: 220

D'Angelo Russell and the Golden State Warriors (9-26, 5th in the Pacific Division) are headed to Target Center on Thursday where they'll meet the Minnesota Timberwolves (12-20, 5th in the Northwest Division). Minnesota opens this contest as 4.5 point favorites. The O/U has been set at 220.

The Warriors are covering the spread 48.6% of the time, having gone 17-18-0 ATS. Minnesota is covering 40.0% of the time, going 12-18-2 against the spread.

Key Golden State Warriors Injuries

12/31/2020 Willie Cauley-Stein C Illness Game Time Decision
12/30/2020 Kevon Looney PF Abdomen Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/30/2020 D'Angelo Russell SG Illness Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/6/2020 Stephen Curry PG Hand Expected to be out until at least Feb 29
10/22/2020 Klay Thompson SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jun 1

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/31/2020 Noah Vonleh PF Back Game Time Decision
12/31/2020 Jake Layman SF Toe Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/31/2020 Andrew Wiggins SF Illness Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/31/2020 Josh Okogie SG Elbow Game Time Decision
12/31/2020 Karl-Anthony Towns C Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/31/2020 Treveon Graham SG Illness Game Time Decision
12/31/2020 Jeff Teague PG Knee Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

D'Angelo Russell comes into this contest averaging 23.2 points per game while playing 31.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 77%. Alec Burks averages 15.9 points per game in 29.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.0 assists per contest and 4.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

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

Useful Team Statistics

Golden State averages 105.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -7.5 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 27th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 26th in the league. They average 43.8 rebounds per game and 24.2 assists per game, which ranks them 23rd and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 20th with 14.6 per game. The Warriors allow 113.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 21st in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 39% average from behind the arc, ranking them 24th and 30th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.2 rebounds a game which ranks 20th and they give up 25.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 16.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 12th in the league with 112.3 points per game this year. They are 26th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -3.6. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 29th in the NBA. They are 6th in the league in rebounding with 46.6 boards per game, and 24th in assists per contest with 22.1. The Timberwolves are 12th in turnovers per game with 15.4. The Timberwolves surrender 115.8 points per contest, which ranks them 26th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 12th with 23.7 assists allowed per contest and 30th with 48.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 20th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Warriors are 27th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105, and their defensive rating of 112.4 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 16th in the league with 100 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 30th. As a team they are 28th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 28th in the league. Golden State is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 4th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 17th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Timberwolves are 22nd in the league in defensive rating with 110.3, and their offensive rating of 106.9 is ranked 17th. They are 7th in the NBA in pace with 102.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 27th. As a unit they are 23rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Golden State +4.5

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