Minnesota Timberwolves vs Orlando Magic Predictions, NBA Expert Picks 2/28/2020

Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Orlando Magic

Date: Friday, February 28, 2020

Location: Amway Center in Orlando, FL

TV: Fox Sports Florida

Odds/Point Spread: Orlando -8

Total/Over-Under: 230

Aaron Gordon and the Orlando Magic (26-32, 2nd in the Southeast Division) play the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-40, 5th in the Northwest Division) at Amway Center on Friday, February 28, 2020. Orlando opens this matchup as 8 point favorites. The over/under is set at 230.

The Timberwolves cover the spread 36.4% of the time, having gone 20-35-2 ATS. Orlando covers the spread 44.6% of the time, going 25-31-2 against the spread.

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

02/26/20 SG Allen Crabbe Personal is questionable Friday vs Orlando
02/14/20 C Karl-Anthony Towns Wrist is out indefinitely

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

01/10/20 SF Al-Farouq Aminu Knee is out for season
01/02/20 PF Jonathan Isaac Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

D'Angelo Russell comes into this contest averaging 23.7 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 9.9 points per game in 20.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.4 assists per contest and 2.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Aaron Gordon averages 14.5 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.5 rebounds per game and has 3.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 68%. Nikola Vucevic averages 19.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.9 rebounds per contest and 3.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 113.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.9 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 45.2 rebounds per game and 23.7 assists per game, which ranks them 16th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 15.3 per game. The Timberwolves allow 116.9 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 23rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.4 rebounds a game which ranks 29th and they give up 23.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 15.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando is 29th in the league with 104.6 points per game this year. They are 28th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -1.5. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 26th in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 44.7 boards per game, and 21st in assists per contest with 23.4. The Magic are 29th in turnovers per game with 12.5. The Magic surrender 106.1 points per contest, which ranks them 1st 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 14th with 24.2 assists allowed per contest and 21st with 46.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Magic are 19th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 22nd in the league in defensive rating with 111.9, and their offensive rating of 108.1 is ranked 21st. They are 7th in the NBA in pace with 103 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 44% 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

Orlando is 27th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 14th in the league. The Magic are 25th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.6, and their defensive rating of 108.2 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 28th in the league with 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 29th. As a team they are 29th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota +8

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