Timberwolves vs Pacers 1/17/2020 NBA Prediction, Pick, Tips

Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Indiana Pacers

Date: Friday, January 17, 2020

Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN

TV: Fox Sports Indiana

Odds/Point Spread: Indiana -5.5

Total/Over-Under: 224

Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-25, 5th in the Northwest Division) head to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday where they'll meet the Indiana Pacers (26-15, 2nd in the Central Division). Indiana opens this game as 5.5 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 224.

The Timberwolves cover the spread 42.1% of the time, having gone 16-22-2 ATS. Indiana is covering 57.5% of the time, going 23-17-1 against the spread.

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

01/15/20 SF Jake Layman Toe is questionable Friday vs Indiana
01/15/20 C Karl-Anthony Towns Knee is questionable Friday vs Indiana

Key Indiana Pacers Injuries

10/19/19 SG Victor Oladipo Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns comes into this contest averaging 26.5 points per game while playing 33.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 11.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 80%. Andrew Wiggins averages 22.8 points per game in 34.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.3 assists per contest and 5.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 75%.

Player Spotlight

Domantas Sabonis averages 18.1 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 13.1 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is at 73%. Malcolm Brogdon averages 17.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.5 rebounds per contest and 7.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 92%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 111.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.2 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 29th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 29th in the league. They average 46.4 rebounds per game and 22.6 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 15.4 per game. The Timberwolves allow 114.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 17th and 17th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.5 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 23.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 15.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Indiana is 19th in the league with 109.2 points per game this year. They are 6th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 3.2. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 5th in the NBA. They are 22nd in the league in rebounding with 43.6 boards per game, and 6th in assists per contest with 25.9. The Pacers are 29th in turnovers per game with 12.9. The Pacers surrender 106.1 points per contest, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 23.2 assists allowed per contest and 12th with 44.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pacers are 10th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 22nd in the league in defensive rating with 109.6, and their offensive rating of 106.5 is ranked 16th. They are 7th in the NBA in pace with 102.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 27th. As a unit they are 26th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the NBA. Minnesota is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Indiana is 26th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 24th in the league. The Pacers are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.3, and their defensive rating of 107.1 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 26th in the league with 98.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 12th. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota +5.5

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