Minnesota Timberwolves vs Miami Heat Predictions, Expert NBA Pick 2/26/2020

Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Miami Heat

Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Location: American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL

TV: Fox Sports Sun

Odds/Point Spread: Miami -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 228

Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat (36-21, 1st in the Southeast Division) play the Minnesota Timberwolves (16-40, 5th in the Northwest Division) at American Airlines Arena on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Miami opens this matchup as 6.5 point favorites. The O/U is set at 228.

The Timberwolves cover 35.2% of the time, having gone 19-35-2 ATS. Miami is covering 54.5% of the time, going 30-25-2 against the spread.

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

02/24/20 SG Allen Crabbe Personal is questionable Wednesday vs Miami
02/14/20 C Karl-Anthony Towns Wrist is out indefinitely

Key Miami Heat Injuries

02/24/20 SG Jimmy Butler Personal is questionable Wednesday vs Minnesota
02/24/20 PF Meyers Leonard Ankle is out indefinitely
02/11/20 SG Tyler Herro Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

D'Angelo Russell comes into this contest averaging 23.6 points per game while playing 32.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 81%. Malik Beasley averages 9.7 points per game in 20.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 2.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Bam Adebayo averages 16.1 points per game while playing 34.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 10.5 rebounds per game and has 5.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 58% and his free throw percentage is at 69%. Kendrick Nunn averages 15.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.7 rebounds per contest and 3.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 112.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -4.0 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 45.4 rebounds per game and 23.6 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 15.3 per game. The Timberwolves allow 116.8 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 22nd and 22nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.5 rebounds a game which ranks 29th and they give up 23.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami is 15th in the league with 112.3 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 3.3. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 2nd in the NBA. They are 17th in the league in rebounding with 44.9 boards per game, and 10th in assists per contest with 25.7. The Heat are 13th in turnovers per game with 14.9. The Heat surrender 108.9 points per contest, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 20th with 24.7 assists allowed per contest and 3rd with 42.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat are 7th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 22nd in the league in defensive rating with 111.8, and their offensive rating of 107.9 is ranked 20th. They are 7th in the NBA in pace with 102.9 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 16th 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 54%, which is 12th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 7th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 19th in the league. The Heat are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.5, and their defensive rating of 109.2 is ranked 14th. In terms of pace they are 26th in the league with 98.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 5th. As a team they are 2nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Minnesota +6.5

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