Timberwolves vs Rockets 1/11/2020 NBA Prediction, Pick, Tips

Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Houston Rockets

Date: Saturday, January 11, 2020

Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX

TV: AT&T Sportsnet - Southwest

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -11

Total/Over-Under: 218

James Harden and the Houston Rockets (25-12, 1st in the Southwest Division) play the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-22, 5th in the Northwest Division) at Toyota Center on Saturday, January 11, 2020. Houston opens this contest as 11 point favorites. The total opens at 218.

The Timberwolves cover the spread 45.7% of the time, having gone 16-19-2 ATS. Houston is covering 48.6% of the time, going 18-19-0 against the spread.

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

01/09/20 SF Jake Layman Toe is questionable Saturday vs Houston
01/09/20 C Karl-Anthony Towns Knee is questionable Saturday vs Houston

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

01/09/20 SG Eric Gordon Knee is questionable Saturday vs Minnesota

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 24.0 points per game in 35.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.4 assists per contest and 5.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 37.9 points per game while playing 37.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.0 rebounds per game and has 7.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 86%. Russell Westbrook averages 24.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.8 rebounds per contest and 6.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 111.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.2 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 28th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 29th in the league. They average 46.8 rebounds per game and 22.3 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 24th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 15.5 per game. The Timberwolves allow 114.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 16th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.2 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 23.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 8th place in the league. They force 15.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 2nd in the league with 118.7 points per game this year. They are 17th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 4.8. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 5th in the league in rebounding with 47.2 boards per game, and 26th in assists per contest with 21.4. The Rockets are 16th in turnovers per game with 14.9. The Rockets surrender 113.9 points per contest, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 29th with 25.8 assists allowed per contest and 20th with 46.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 18th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.2 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 107, and their defensive rating of 109.1 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 8th in the league with 102.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 26th. As a team they are 25th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shots, ranking 4th in the league. Minnesota is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 17th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 19th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 13th in the NBA. The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 109.6, and their offensive rating of 114.2 is ranked 16th. They are 2nd in the NBA in pace with 103.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 6th. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 49% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota +11

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