Offense meets defense when the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-13) welcome the Portland Trail Blazers (16-13) to Target Center. The game begins at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 18, 2017.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Prediction
The Trail Blazers come in on a high note after edging the Charlotte Hornets in their last matchup, 93-91. Portland held the Hornets to an effective field goal percentage of 0.380 (below their season average of 0.489). Charlotte, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 5.2 (better than their season average of 11.9). Portland was led by Damian Lillard, who put up 18 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.
In the Timberwolves’ last game, they lost a tough one against the Phoenix Suns, 108-106. Phoenix made good use of their 35 trips to the charity stripe, making 31 of them (88.6 percent). Minnesota, on the other hand, was 17-24 (70.8 percent). With 28 points on 7-for-17 shooting, Karl-Anthony Towns was the top scorer from either team.
This battle pits one of the NBA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Minnesota ranks fifth in offensive efficiency and Portland ranks second in defensive efficiency.
Portland heads into the contest with records of 16-13 straight up (SU) and 13-13-3 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total high when the Trail Blazers are involved, as 72.4 percent of their games have gone under the total.
Meanwhile, Minnesota is 17-13 SU and 12-16-2 ATS. In opposition of Portland, games featuring the Timberwolves have a slight tendency to finish over the O/U total (50.0 percent).
Towns and Jimmy Butler have played at a high level over the last five games for Minnesota. Towns has averaged 21.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.6 blocks and 2.0 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Butler has recorded 26.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.8 steals a game during that span.
After the Trail Blazers won three out of four games against the Timberwolves last season, these teams will meet for the first time this year. In the last game, Portland won 105-98. The Trail Blazers made 21 of their 26 free throws (80.8 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.519 vs. 0.460).
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Portland is 9-4-1 ATS with 10 unders and 4 overs.
At home, Minnesota is 5-10-1 ATS with 8 unders, 7 overs and 1 push.
Portland is 12-3 when they allow below 100 points, while Minnesota is 9-2.
In games where they score more than 100 points, the Trail Blazers are 12-6 and the Timberwolves are 15-8.
Portland ranks first in assists allowed per game (18.2) while Minnesota ranks 26th (24.4).
The Timberwolves rank fourth in steals per game (9.1) while the Trail Blazers rank 28th (6.4).
Minnesota ranks sixth in points off turnovers per game (18.7) while Portland ranks 27th (14.6).
The Trail Blazers rank seventh in fast break points allowed per game (9.4) while the Timberwolves rank 25th (13.0).
Portland ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (25.4) while Minnesota ranks 17th (29.3).
The Trail Blazers rank fifth in rebounds per game (45.6) while the Timberwolves rank 20th (42.0).
Minnesota ranks third in second chance points per game (14.8) while Portland ranks 16th (12.0).
The Timberwolves rank 15th in blocks allowed per game (4.8) while the Trail Blazers rank 25th (5.4).
Minnesota ranks sixth in points in the paint per game (47.3) while Portland ranks 10th in points allowed in the paint per game (42.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Portland is 5-0 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Minnesota is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Trail Blazers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.4, down from 2.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 109.4 points per game (1.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 104.2 points per game (2.2 below their season average).
