Rockets vs Timberwolves predictions 1/24/20 NBA Picks & Betting Tips

Game: Houston Rockets vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Date: Friday, January 24, 2020

Location: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -5.5

Total/Over-Under: 236

Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-29, 5th in the Northwest Division) host the Houston Rockets (27-16, 2nd in the Southwest Division) at Target Center on Friday, January 24, 2020. Minnesota opens this matchup as 5.5 point dogs. The over/under has been set at 236.

The Rockets are covering the spread 46.5% of the time, having gone 20-23-0 ATS. Minnesota is covering the spread 40.5% of the time, going 17-25-2 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

01/23/20 SF Jake Layman Toe is questionable Friday vs Houston

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook averages 25.3 points per game in 35.5 minutes per contest. He averages 7.3 assists per contest and 8.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%. James Harden comes into this contest averaging 36.6 points per game while playing 37.1 minutes per night. He pulls down 6.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 86%.

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averages 22.4 points per game and he sees the court an average of 34.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.1 rebounds per contest and 3.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 73%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 26.5 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per contest. He grabs 10.9 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets allow 114.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 11th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.3 rebounds a game which ranks 22nd, and they give up 25.6 assists per contest which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 15.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the league. Houston averages 118.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.4 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 20th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 21st in the league. They average 47.4 rebounds per game and 21.7 assists per contest, which ranks them 5th and 27th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 11th with 15.1 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves surrender 114.6 points per contest, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 10th with 23.4 assists allowed per contest, and 29th with 48.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.5 per game. Minnesota is 15th in the league with 111.1 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -3.5. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 29th in the NBA. They are 9th in the league in rebounding with 46.1 boards per game and 20th in assists per contest with 23.0. The Timberwolves are 9th in turnovers per game with 15.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 109.6, and their offensive rating of 113.8 is ranked 15th. They are 2nd in the NBA in pace with 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 7th. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 48% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA. Houston is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 16th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 14th in the league. The Timberwolves are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.7, and their defensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 8th in the league with 102.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shots, ranking 3rd in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -5.5

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