The Sacramento Kings (16-13) will travel to the Target Center to challenge the Minnesota Timberwolves (13-16). The Kings opened as 8-point underdogs. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 231 points and it will air on Fox Sports – North at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Sacramento Kings at Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Odds
Neither team was able to cover in their last game. The Kings (7.5-point favorites) defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 120-113, while the Timberwolves (7.5-point favorites) were defeated by the Phoenix Suns, 107-99. The Sacramento game finished 3 points under the projected point total of 236, while the Minnesota game went 13 points under the projected point total of 219.
The Kings had a turnover percentage of 7.7 (better than their season average of 12.1) and held the Mavericks to an effective field goal percentage of 0.464 (below their season average of 0.525). Minnesota, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (9.5 vs. 13.2). Minnesota was led by Karl-Anthony Towns, who recorded 28 points and 12 rebounds. De’Aaron Fox, meanwhile played a key role for Sacramento with 28 points and five assists.
In their two matchups this season, the Kings have won both. The two teams combined to put up 271 points in their most recent game, which was well over the projected point total of 227. Sacramento won 141-130, covering as a 3-point underdog. Sacramento’s effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Minnesota. The Kings had a rate of 0.692 while the Timberwolves posted a mark of 0.586. Marvin Bagley III recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Of the Kings’ 28 games with betting action, 18 have finished over the projected point total. Sacramento comes into the contest with records of 16-13 straight up (SU) and 18-10 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Sacramento, games involving the Timberwolves have typically gone under the total (65.5 percent). Moreover, Minnesota owns records of 13-16 SU and 15-14 ATS.
The Kings’ Willie Cauley-Stein has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 14 points,10.0 rebounds,1.4 steals per game. Meanwhile, Towns has averaged 26 points,11.0 rebounds,3.2 assists,2.4 blocks,1.2 steals during that same time frame for the Timberwolves.
Based on each team’s statistical profile, ball security could play a key role in this battle. Minnesota commits the fifth-fewest miscues in the league (turnover percentage of 12.9 percent), while the disruptive defense of Sacramento forces the third-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.5 percent).
Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Timberwolves rank 9 in blocks per game (5.620689655172414) while the Kings rank 15 in blocks allowed per game (5).
- Sacramento averages 25.6 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 28th in assists allowed per game (25.8).
- The Kings rank first in fast break points per game (22.5) while the Timberwolves rank 18th in fast break points allowed per game (14.2).
- Minnesota ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.6) while Sacramento ranks 17th (7.9).
- Sacramento averages 44.37931034482759 rebounds per game, which ranks 17 in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 25 in rebounds allowed per game (46.41379310344828).
- The Timberwolves rank eighth in points allowed in the paint per game (45.9) while the Kings rank 29th (52.4).
- The Kings rank 2 in points off turnovers per game (21.20689655172414) while the Timberwolves rank 15 (16.655172413793103).
- Sacramento averages 29.137931034482758 three pointers per game, which ranks 21 in the league. Minnesota ranks 27 in three pointers allowed per game (34.06896551724138).
- Minnesota averages 14.9 second chance points per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. Sacramento ranks 23rd in second chance points allowed per game (14.6).
- When holding opponents below 100 points, Sacramento is 4-0 and Minnesota is 6-0.
- The Timberwolves are 13-11 when they score more than 100 points, while the Kings are 15-11.
- Minnesota is 10-5 ATS at home, while Sacramento is 9-6 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 12 of the Kings’ 15 road games, while 8 of the Timberwolves’ 15 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Kings are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Timberwolves are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Sacramento has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Minnesota has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- During their last five games, the Kings have scored an average of 118.2 points per game (2.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.8 points per game (2.1 below their season average).
- The Timberwolves\u2019 average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.6, up from 0.8 for the season.
