The league’s top scoring team will be at home in Fiserv Forum, when the Milwaukee Bucks (30-5) face off with the Minnesota Timberwolves (12-20). The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 1, 2020, and will air on Fox Sports – North.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Milwaukee Bucks ATS Odds
Both teams covered in their last outing. The Bucks (8.5-point favorites) defeated the Chicago Bulls 123-102, while the Timberwolves (4.5-point underdog) beat the Brooklyn Nets 122-115. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Milwaukee game went 5.5 points over the projected point total of 219.5, while the Minnesota game went 21 points over the projected point total of 216.
Minnesota dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.7 (below their season average of 23.2) and a turnover percentage of 10.7 (better than their season average of 12.6). For those same stats, Brooklyn was 12.5 and 12.6, respectively. Meanwhile, Milwaukee played a nearly flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.238 (above their season average of 0.193) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.613 (above their season average of 0.561). Chicago recorded marks of 0.047 and 0.453, respectively, for those same stats. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo had a good game, recording 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Gorgui Dieng, meanwhile played a key role for Minnesota with 11 points and 20 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a 134-106 victory. He recorded a double-double with 34 points and 15 rebounds. The two teams combined for 240 points, which was over the projected point total of 230.5, and Milwaukee covered as a 7.5-point favorite. Milwaukee’s 0.613 effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over Minnesota, who had a mark of 0.422.
Timberwolves games have a slight tendency to finish over the projected point total (53.1 percent). Minnesota heads into the game with records of 12-20 straight up (SU) and 12-18-2 against the spread (ATS).
Much like Minnesota, Bucks games have a slight tendency to go over the projected point total (51.4 percent). Moreover, Milwaukee owns records of 30-5 SU and 21-14 ATS.
There should be a fair amount of transition offense in this matchup that features a pair of the NBA’s more up-and-down teams. Milwaukee currently ranks fifth in possessions per game (106.0) and Minnesota is first (107.2). Also, the Timberwolves rank 22nd in offensive efficiency (104.7), while the Bucks rank first in defensive efficiency (99.6).
Minnesota Timberwolves at Milwaukee Bucks Free Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Timberwolves rank third in steals per game (8.5) while the Bucks rank 10th (8.0).
- Milwaukee ranks first in rebounds per game (51.7) while Minnesota ranks 29th in rebounds allowed per game (48.5).
- The Bucks rank first in fast break points per game (18.7) while the Timberwolves rank 27th (10.2).
- Milwaukee ranks fourth in blocks per game (6.3) while Minnesota ranks 22nd in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
- Milwaukee ranks 10th in points off turnovers per game (17.9) while Minnesota ranks 27th (15.4).
- The Timberwolves rank third in three pointers attempted per game (38.9) while the Bucks rank last in three pointers allowed per game (38.5).
- The Bucks rank first in points allowed in the paint per game (38.5) while the Timberwolves rank 19th (48.9).
- Milwaukee averages 26.2 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the league. Minnesota ranks 12th in assists allowed per game (23.7).
- Milwaukee ranks first in second chance points allowed per game (10.7) while Minnesota ranks 28th (14.9).
- Minnesota is 1-1 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Milwaukee is 8-0.
- The Timberwolves are 12-14 when they reach 100 points, while the Bucks are 30-5.
- Minnesota is 9-7-1 ATS on the road, while Milwaukee is 11-7 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 9 of the Bucks’ 18 home games, while 9 of the Timberwolves’ 17 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Bucks are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Timberwolves are 2-2-1.
- In their last five games, Milwaukee has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Minnesota has 4 unders and 1 over.
- During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 114.4 points per game (5.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 99.6 points per game (7.0 below their season average).
- The Timberwolves’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.8, down from 3.6 for the season.
