The Washington Wizards visit the Target Center to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. The game begins at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Mar. 2 and will air on FNo and WA2.
The Timberwolves got blown out by the Mavericks 128-101 on Sunday. Shabazz Muhammad was the team’s high scorer, recording 24 points. The Wizards, meanwhile, are coming off a 116-108 win against the 76ers on Monday. John Wall shot 13-for-26 and led in scoring with 37 points.
Over the last five games, Karl-Anthony Towns has been playing at a high level for the Timberwolves. During that stretch, he has averaged 22.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks. The Wizards also have their own player combo that has been hot in that same time frame. Wall has averaged 22.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.4 three-pointers, while Marcin Gortat has put up 14.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.6 blocks.
The Timberwolves look to improve upon their records of 19-41 Straight Up (SU) and 27-32-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have been able to pull off wins at home against the Eastern Conference, going, but have struggled ATS with a record of 10-19-1. The Timberwolves have made 1,315 free throws this season (21.0 per game), which leads the league.
Across the court, Washington has a SU record of 29-30 and an ATS record of 31-27-1. Against the Western Conference, Washington is 29-30 SU and 31-27-1 ATS. Washington’s defense has allowed an average of 112.1 points per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 104.4.
This is the first meeting of the season for these two. The last time they played Minnesota came out on top, taking the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over the past 10 meetings. The teams also have an even record ATS in the last 10.
Predictions: SU Winner – Was
Notes
On average, Washington scores 103.0 points per game (ranked ninth). Minnesota ranks 24th in points allowed per game with 105.1.
Washington puts up an average of 101.6 points per away game (ranked 11th). Minnesota ranks 24th in points allowed per home game with 104.4.
In contests where it has given up fewer than 100 points, Minnesota has a 10-7 record. When Washington scores fewer than 100, it is an underachieving 4-17.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a subpar 9-34 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Washington Wizards are 25-13 when they hit triple digits.
The Wizards have a defensive rating of 104.8 (ranked 18th). The Timberwolves rank 10th for their offensive rating of 104.3.
Minnesota averages fewer possessions per game than Washington, with 96.9 compared to 99.6. However, the Timberwolves score an average of 1.043 points per possession, more than the 1.034 that the Wizards score.
The Washington Wizards have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking 10th in the league with an EFF% of 50.7%. When their opponents record a similar or higher EFF%, the Minnesota Timberwolves have an abysmal 9-29 record.
On average, the Washington Wizards make 23.9 assists per game and the Minnesota Timberwolves make 22.5. Washington is ranked sixth, while Minnesota is ranked 11th.
Washington ranks 29th in rebounds per game with 40.8, while Minnesota ranks 25th with 42.3.
The Washington Wizards rank 29th in offensive rebounding, while the Minnesota Timberwolves rank 27th in defensive rebounding.
Washington is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 15.7% (ranked fifth). Minnesota has a poor record of 9-17 SU this season when its TOV% reaches 15.7% or greater.
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