The Indiana Pacers (26-15) will be at home in Bankers Life Fieldhouse when they meet the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-25). Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 17, 2020, and can be seen on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Indiana Pacers Betting Odds
In their first matchup this year, Sabonis led the Pacers to a 104-99 win. He recorded a double-double with 29 points and 13 rebounds. The two teams combined for 203 points, which was under the projected point total of 217.5, and Indiana covered as a 4.5-point favorite. Indiana had a better effective field goal percentage (0.559 vs. 0.494). Minnesota, on the other hand, did a great job of making free throws (12-16; 75.0 percent).
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Timberwolves games, with 21 overs compared to 19 unders. Minnesota comes into the contest with records of 15-25 straight up (SU) and 16-22-2 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Minnesota, Pacers games have a slight tendency to go under the total (51.2 percent). Additionally, Indiana is 26-15 SU and 22-17-2 ATS.
When considering effective field goal percentage, Indiana figures to have a noteworthy edge. The Pacers defense ranks seventh in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.506), while the Minnesota offense is ranked 27th in effective field goal percentage (0.501). This game should be a matchup of conflicting tempos. The up-and-down Timberwolves rank first in possessions per game, while the more methodical Pacers rank 26th.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Indiana Pacers Betting Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Pacers average 25.9 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. The Timberwolves rank ninth in assists allowed per game (23.3).
- Minnesota ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (39.0) while Indiana ranks last (27.6).
- The Timberwolves rank sixth in second chance points per game (14.1) while the Pacers rank 20th in second chance points allowed per game (13.4).
- Indiana ranks 16th in fast break points per game (12.6) while Minnesota ranks 27th (10.2).
- Minnesota ranks 10th in points in the paint per game (48.8) while Indiana ranks 17th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.2).
- The Timberwolves rank second in steals per game (8.7) while the Pacers rank 23rd (6.9).
- The Timberwolves rank fourth in blocks per game (6.3) while the Pacers rank 14th (5.0).
- Indiana ranks 12th in rebounds allowed per game (44.9) while Minnesota ranks 29th (48.5).
- When holding opponents below 100 points, Minnesota is 2-1 and Indiana is 8-1.
- The Timberwolves are 14-18 when they score over 100 points, while the Pacers are 26-9.
- Minnesota is 11-9-1 ATS on the road, while Indiana is 11-8-2 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 11 of the Pacers’ 21 home games, while 12 of the Timberwolves’ 21 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Minnesota and Indiana have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Pacers are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Timberwolves are 1-4.
- The Pacers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.8, up from 3.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 108.0 points per game (3.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 116.2 points per game (1.7 above their season average).