Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Clippers Prediction, 12/29/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Clippers

Date: Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Location: STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: Fox Sports North

Odds/Point Spread: Minnesota (+8)

The Los Angeles Clippers (2-1) host the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-1) at STAPLES Center on Tuesday. Minnesota opens this matchup as 8-point dogs. The O/U opens at 229.5.

The Minnesota Timberwolves faced the Los Angeles Lakers and ended up losing by a score of 127-91 in their last contest. Minnesota finished the game having earned a 36.9% field goal percentage (38 out of 103) and buried 6 of 35 3-point shots. From the free throw line, the Timberwolves knocked down 9 of 14 attempts for a percentage of 64.3%. Concerning getting rebounds, they earned 48 with 17 of them being on the offensive end. They also dished out 24 assists for the contest as well as earning 11 steals and 6 rejections. With respect to defending, Minnesota allowed their opponent to shoot 55.6% from the floor on 50 out of 90 shooting. Los Angeles earned 32 assists and had 6 steals for the game. On top of that, the Lakers collected 46 rebounds (5 offensive, 41 defensive) and added 14 blocks. Los Angeles ended up shooting 77.8% at the free throw line by converting 14 of 18 shots. They knocked down 13 out of their 35 attempts from 3-point range.

Naz Reid is one guy who had an impact in the game. He totaled 11 points on 5 out of 13 shooting. He was on the court for 27:48 minutes played and also pulled down 5 boards. Reid walked away from this one shooting 38.5% from the field and earned 4 assists. Another guy that was a factor in the matchup for the Timberwolves was Anthony Edwards. He snagged 4 rebounds and collected 2 assists. He finished the game at 28.6% from the field for the contest by shooting 6-of-21 (15 points). When the final whistle was blown, Edwards played for 28:23 minutes.

Minnesota will enter this matchup with a record of 2-1 this year. The Timberwolves are hitting 28.6% on 3-point shots (30 of 105) and 76.7% from the free throw line. They have an average of 106.0 points per game (27th in basketball) while hitting 41.4% from the field. They lose possession via turnover 13.3 times per contest and as a squad are committing 22.7 fouls every game. As a team, Minnesota is pulling in 45.3 boards per game and has totaled 70 assists for the season, which has them ranked 10th in the league in terms of passing the ball. When they are on defense, the Timberwolves have forced 17.0 turnovers on a nightly basis while drawing 19.7 personal fouls. The Timberwolves defense is allowing a shooting percentage of 47.3% (51 of 59) and they relinquish 49.3 rebounds per contest as a unit. They currently rank 21st in basketball in giving up assists to the opposition with 76 conceded so far this year. They are surrendering 29.8% on shots from downtown and they are 15th in the NBA in points per game allowed (113.0).

When they last stepped on the court, the Los Angeles Clippers went home defeated by a final of 124-73 when they played the Dallas Mavericks. The Clippers were able to corral 31 defensive boards and 5 offensive boards totaling 36 for this contest. They also blocked 2 attempts while earning 2 steals for this contest. The Mavericks committed 14 personal fouls for the contest which got the Clippers to the free throw line for 20 tries. They were able to make 17 of those for a clip of 85.0%. When it comes to shots from distance, Los Angeles converted 4 of their 33 attempts (12.1%). At the conclusion of this game, the Clippers ended up shooting 26 for 76 from the field which gave them a percentage of 34.2%. The Clippers allowed the Mavericks to convert 43 out of their 87 tries from the field which left them with a shooting percentage of 49.4% for the contest. They shot 34.1% from 3-point land by connecting on 14 out of 41 and walked away from this one shooting 24 out of 27 at the free throw line (88.9%). Regarding attacking the glass, Los Angeles permitted Dallas to grab 54 overall (11 offensive).

Serge Ibaka ended up being important for the Clippers in the game. He made 6 out of 11 for the contest giving him a rate of 54.5%, which gave him 13 points. Ibaka snagged 9 boards in his 19:32 minutes of time on the hardwood and accumulated 2 dimes for the game. Someone else who came through for Los Angeles was Paul George. He was able to score 15 points in his 24:09 mins on the hardwood by way of 4 of 13 from the floor in this contest. George finished going 30.8% from the field and also collecting 4 assists and 2 rebounds.

Los Angeles has a record of 2-1 for the year. As an offense, the Clippers are connecting on 45.7% from the floor, which is ranked 17th in the NBA. Los Angeles has scored 310 pts on the campaign (103.3 per game) and they grab 38.0 rebounds per game. They are assisting teammates 22.3 times per contest (25th in the NBA) and they turn it over 17.0 times per contest. The Clippers commit 26.7 fouls per game and they hit 81.0% from the free throw line. The Clippers on the defensive end are ranked 18th in the NBA in points allowed per contest with 113.7. The Los Angeles defense surrenders 32.1% on shots from beyond the perimeter (34 of 106) and their opponents are connecting on 79.8% of their shots from the free throw line. They have surrendered 24.0 dimes and 43.7 boards every game, which is 12th and 11th in the league. They are able to force 13.3 TO's every game and allow teams to shoot 47.4% from the field (23rd in the league).

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

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Minnesota (+8)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here