The Minnesota Timberwolves (14-17) will travel to the AT&T Center to clash with the San Antonio Spurs (17-15). The Spurs opened as 3.5-point favorites. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 223 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports – North at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 21, 2018.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Odds
The Spurs had no trouble getting past the Orlando Magic in their last outing, 129-90, easily covering as 3-point favorites. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, were beat by the Detroit Pistons, 129-123, and failed to cover as 5.5-point underdogs. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The San Antonio game finished 9.5 points over the projected point total of 209.5, while the Minnesota game went 35.5 points over the projected point total of 216.5.
The Spurs knocked down 17 of their 21 free throws (81.0 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.727 (above their season average of 0.521). Minnesota, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 5.7 (better than their season average of 11.5). DeMar DeRozan had a good game for San Antonio, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Meanwhile, Minnesota rallied around Derrick Rose, who finished with 33 points and seven assists.
The Timberwolves won the most recent matchup by 39 points to even the season series at one. Karl-Anthony Towns put up a double-double in the victory with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Timberwolves’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Spurs. Minnesota had a rate of 7.0, while San Antonio posted a mark of 16.3. Minnesota covered as a 5-point favorite and the two teams combined to score 217 points, which was just over the projected point total of 215.5.
Games involving the Timberwolves have a tendency to finish under the total (61.3 percent). Minnesota comes into the contest with records of 14-17 straight up (SU) and 16-15 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Minnesota, Spurs games tend to go over the O/U total (56.3 percent). Further, San Antonio is 17-15 SU and 17-14-1 ATS.
Rose and Dario Saric have played well over the last five games for Minnesota. Rose has averaged 19 points,5.8 assists,1.4 steals per game, while Saric has put up 13 points,7.4 rebounds a game during that span.
The high-octane offense of San Antonio (fourth in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 111.1) will battle against the mid-tier defense of Minnesota (17th in the league with a defensive efficiency of 108.2). The Spurs should have the edge on that end of the court. Additionally, the Timberwolves rank third in turnover percentage (12.6 percent), while the Spurs rank 27th in opponents’ turnover percentage (12.2 percent).
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Spurs average 24.09375 assists per game, which ranks 16 in the league. The Timberwolves rank 27 in assists allowed per game (25.580645161290324).
- Minnesota ranks second in steals per game (9.1) while San Antonio ranks 29th (5.9).
- The Spurs rank third in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while the Timberwolves rank 17th (5.1).
- Minnesota ranks 13th in points in the paint per game (48.5) while San Antonio ranks 26th (43.1).
- San Antonio ranks 17 in three pointers allowed per game (31.5) while Minnesota ranks 29 (34.645161290322584).
- The Timberwolves rank fifth in second chance points per game (15.1) while the Spurs rank 24th (12.2).
- The Timberwolves rank 14 in points off turnovers per game (16.93548387096774) while the Spurs rank 27 (14.28125).
- San Antonio ranks 17 in rebounds per game (44.375) while Minnesota ranks 23 in rebounds allowed per game (46.064516129032256).
- Minnesota ranks 12th in fast break points per game (14.0) while San Antonio ranks 27th (9.6).
- San Antonio is 9-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Minnesota is 6-0.
- The Spurs are 16-9 when they reach the century mark, while the Timberwolves are 14-12.
- San Antonio is 11-6 ATS at home, while Minnesota is 5-9 ATS on the road.
- Of the Timberwolves’ 14 road games, they have 11 unders and 3 overs.
- The Spurs have 9 unders and 8 overs in 17 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Spurs are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Timberwolves are 2-3.
- In their last five games, San Antonio has 4 unders and 1 over, while Minnesota has 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Spurs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 24.8, up from 1.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 118.4 points per game (7.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 119.6 points per game (8.4 above their season average).
