The Brooklyn Nets (16-15) visit Target Center to challenge the Minnesota Timberwolves (11-20). The Timberwolves look to end a nine-game home losing streak. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 30, 2019, and will air on YES Network.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Odds
Both teams fell in their last contest. The Nets (9-point underdogs) were defeated by the Houston Rockets, 108-98, while the Timberwolves (6.5-point favorites) fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 94-88. The Brooklyn game finished 28.5 points under the projected point total of 234.5, while the Minnesota game finished 35 points under the projected point total of 217.
Brooklyn had a better free throw rate (0.141 vs. 0.069) while Minnesota forced Cleveland into a turnover percentage of 23.2 (above their season average of 13.6). Minnesota’s Robert Covington had a good outing, finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds. Jarrett Allen, meanwhile fueled Brooklyn with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves to a 127-126 victory. He notched a double-double with 36 points and 14 rebounds. The two teams combined to score 253 points, which was well over the projected point total of 230, and Minnesota covered as a 3-point underdog. One of Minnesota’s biggest advantages was getting to the charity stripe. They made 28 trips to the line, while Brooklyn went 26 times.
Of the Nets’ 31 games, 16 have finished under the total. Brooklyn holds records of 16-15 straight up (SU) and 16-14-1 against the spread (ATS).
In opposition of Brooklyn, just over half of Timberwolves games have finished over the O/U total. Moreover, Minnesota owns records of 11-20 SU and 11-18-2 ATS.
The aggressive Minnesota offense seems poised to dominate from the free throw line. The Timberwolves currently rank fifth in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.221, while Brooklyn is among the league’s most foul-prone squads (giving up a 15th-ranked FTA rate of 0.188). Additionally, the Nets rank third in opponents’ effective field goal percentage (0.496), while the Timberwolves rank 27th in effective field goal percentage (0.501).
Brooklyn Nets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Nets, ATS Winner – Nets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Nets rank second in assists allowed per game (21.3) while the Timberwolves rank 11th (23.7).
- Brooklyn averages 48.6 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 29th in rebounds allowed per game (48.3).
- The Timberwolves rank fifth in blocks per game (6.2) while the Nets rank 24th in blocks allowed per game (5.6).
- Brooklyn averages 51.2 points in the paint per game, which ranks fourth in the league. Minnesota ranks 20th in points allowed in the paint per game (49.0).
- Brooklyn ranks 16th in fast break points per game (12.6) while Minnesota ranks 28th (10.4).
- The Nets rank seventh in second chance points per game (14.1) while the Timberwolves rank 28th in second chance points allowed per game (15.1).
- The Timberwolves rank fifth in three pointers allowed per game (31.6) while the Nets rank 20th (34.3).
- Brooklyn ranks 21st in points off turnovers per game (16.6) while Minnesota ranks 27th (15.5).
- Minnesota ranks sixth in steals per game (8.4) while Brooklyn ranks 26th (6.8).
- In games where they allow less than 100 points, Brooklyn is 3-1 and Minnesota is 1-1.
- When reaching the century mark, the Nets are 16-11 and the Timberwolves are 11-14.
- Minnesota is 2-11-1 ATS at home, while Brooklyn is 7-8-1 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 8 of the Nets’ 16 road games, while 7 of the Timberwolves’ 14 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Timberwolves are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Nets are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Minnesota has 5 unders, while Brooklyn has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Timberwolves’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.0, up from 3.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Nets have scored an average of 103.0 points per game (7.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 106.6 points per game (4.4 below their season average).
