The Minnesota Timberwolves (16-36) will be 7.5-point favorites at home in the Target Center when they challenge the Charlotte Hornets (17-36). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 226.5 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports – North at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Odds
The Hornets come in on a high note after topping the Detroit Pistons in their last game, 87-76, as 3.5-point underdogs. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, were topped by the Toronto Raptors, 137-126, and failed to cover as 8-point underdogs. The Charlotte game went 43.5 points under the projected point total of 206.5, while the Minnesota game went 27.5 points over the projected point total of 235.5.
Charlotte dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a solid turnover percentage of 9.6 (better than their season average of 12.9) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.426 (below their season average of 0.504). For those same stats, Detroit put up marks of 19.3 and 0.396, respectively. Minnesota, on the other hand, did an excellent job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (30-35; 85.7 percent). Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns led the way, contributing 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Meanwhile, Charlotte rallied around Devonte’ Graham, who recorded 14 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Towns led the Timberwolves to a 121-99 victory. He registered a double-double with 37 points and 15 rebounds. The two teams combined to put up 220 points, which was under the projected point total of 225.5, and Minnesota covered as a 5-point favorite. One of Minnesota’s biggest strengths was getting to the charity stripe. They made 31 trips to the line, while Charlotte went 26 times.
Hornets games have gone over the O/U total 50.9 percent of the time. Charlotte heads into the game with records of 17-36 straight up (SU) and 24-27-2 against the spread (ATS).
Timberwolves games have a tendency to finish over the total (55.8 percent). Moreover, Minnesota owns records of 16-36 SU and 18-32-2 ATS.
This game should be a showdown of conflicting paces. Minnesota has preferred a fast-paced style of play (second in possessions per game), while Charlotte has been more half-court-oriented (30th in possessions per game).
Charlotte Hornets at Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Hornets rank second in fast break points allowed per game (11.5) while the Timberwolves rank 12th (12.7).
- Minnesota ranks third in steals per game (8.6) while Charlotte ranks 27th (6.5).
- The Timberwolves rank third in three pointers allowed per game (31.4) while the Hornets rank 22nd (34.9).
- Minnesota averages 48.8 points in the paint per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. Charlotte ranks 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (50.9).
- Charlotte averages 16.6 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 16th in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 26th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.1).
- The Timberwolves rank eighth in assists allowed per game (23.5) while the Hornets rank last (26.8).
- The Timberwolves average 14.0 second chance points per game, which ranks eighth in the league. The Hornets rank 20th in second chance points allowed per game (13.5).
- Minnesota averages 45.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 13th in the league. Charlotte ranks 21st in rebounds allowed per game (46.1).
- Minnesota ranks fourth in blocks per game (5.9) while Charlotte ranks 24th (4.2).
- Charlotte is 5-0 when they allow under 100 points, while Minnesota is 2-1.
- The Hornets are 13-21 when they score more than 100 points, while the Timberwolves are 15-29.
- Minnesota is 6-19-1 ATS at home, while Charlotte is 15-14 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 16 of the Hornets’ 29 road games, while 14 of the Timberwolves’ 26 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Charlotte and Minnesota are both 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 97.4 points per game (5.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 108.6 points per game (1.6 below their season average).
- The Timberwolves’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 3.5 for the season.
