Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Predictions, Free NBA Picks 2/23/2020

Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets

Date: Sunday, February 23, 2020

Location: Pepsi Center in Denver, CO

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Denver -12.5

Total/Over-Under: 225.5

Malik Beasley and the Minnesota Timberwolves (16-38, 5th in the Northwest Division) head to Pepsi Center on Sunday where they'll take on the Denver Nuggets (38-18, 1st in the Northwest Division). The line on this contest has Denver as 12.5 point favorites. The over/under is set at 225.5.

The Timberwolves cover the spread 34.6% of the time, having gone 18-34-2 ATS. Denver is covering 50.0% of the time, going 26-26-4 against the spread.

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

02/21/20 SG Jaylen Nowell Illness is questionable Sunday vs Denver
02/14/20 C Karl-Anthony Towns Wrist is out indefinitely
01/27/20 SF Jake Layman Toe is out indefinitely

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

D'Angelo Russell averages 23.5 points per game in 32.3 minutes per contest. He averages 6.5 assists per contest and 3.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%. Malik Beasley comes into this contest averaging 9.3 points per game while playing 19.6 minutes per night. He pulls down 2.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage is at 87%.

Player Spotlight

Gary Harris averages 10.1 points per game and he sees the court an average of 32.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.9 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 84%. Nikola Jokic averages 20.8 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per contest. He grabs 10.2 rebounds per game and has 6.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is at 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 116.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 21st and 23rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.6 rebounds a game which ranks 29th, and they give up 23.4 assists per contest which puts them in 8th place in the league. They force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league. Minnesota averages 112.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.7 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 27th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 29th in the league. They average 45.6 rebounds per game and 23.7 assists per contest, which ranks them 13th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 15.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Nuggets surrender 106.8 points per contest, which ranks them 5th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 20th with 24.7 assists allowed per contest, and 6th with 43.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nuggets are 12th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game. Denver is 20th in the league with 110.3 points per game this year. They are 10th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 3.5. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 44.8 boards per game and 4th in assists per contest with 26.3. The Nuggets are 25th in turnovers per game with 13.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 22nd in the league in defensive rating with 111.3, and their offensive rating of 107.8 is ranked 18th. They are 7th in the NBA in pace with 102.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 26th. As a unit they are 25th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA. Minnesota is 15th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 12th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Denver is 24th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 18th in the NBA. The Nuggets are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 108.7, and their offensive rating of 112.3 is ranked 11th. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 19th. As a unit they are 21st in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 26th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Minnesota +12.5

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