Raptors vs Timberwolves 1/18/2020 NBA Prediction, Pick, Tips

Game: Toronto Raptors vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2020

Location: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN

TV: Fox Sports North Plus

Odds/Point Spread: Toronto -4.5

Total/Over-Under: 222

Target Center is the venue where Andrew Wiggins and the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-25, 5th in the Northwest Division) will play the Toronto Raptors (26-14, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) on Saturday. Minnesota opens this matchup as 4.5 point underdogs. The total is set at 222.

The Raptors are covering the spread 55.0% of the time, having gone 22-18-0 ATS. Minnesota is covering 42.1% of the time, going 16-22-2 against the spread.

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

01/16/20 PG Fred VanVleet Hamstring is upgraded to questionable Friday vs Washington

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

01/17/20 SF Jake Layman Toe is downgraded to out Friday vs Indiana
01/16/20 SG Allen Crabbe Acquired is questionable Friday vs Indiana
01/15/20 C Karl-Anthony Towns Knee is questionable Friday vs Indiana

Player Spotlight

Pascal Siakam averages 24.6 points per game in 36.2 minutes per contest. He averages 3.6 assists per contest and 7.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%. Kyle Lowry comes into this contest averaging 20.5 points per game while playing 38.3 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage is at 86%.

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns averages 26.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 33.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.7 rebounds per contest and 4.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 80%. Andrew Wiggins averages 22.8 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per contest. He grabs 5.0 rebounds per game and has 3.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Raptors allow 105.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 5th in the league. They also allow a 43% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.9 rebounds a game which ranks 26th, and they give up 25.2 assists per contest which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 16.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 29th in the league. Toronto averages 110.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.2 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 21st. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 3rd in the league. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 25.3 assists per contest, which ranks them 10th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 14.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves surrender 114.5 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 9th with 23.3 assists allowed per contest, and 30th with 48.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 25th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.7 per game. Minnesota is 14th in the league with 111.3 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -3.2. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 29th in the NBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 46.4 boards per game and 23rd in assists per contest with 22.6. The Timberwolves are 9th in turnovers per game with 15.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.7, and their defensive rating of 104.5 is ranked 2nd. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 100 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 16th. As a team they are 13th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 7th in the league. Toronto is 12th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 29th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 17th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 16th in the league. The Timberwolves are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.5, and their defensive rating of 109.6 is ranked 16th. In terms of pace they are 7th in the league with 102.6 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 4th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Toronto -4.5

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