The Minnesota Timberwolves (15-24) will be at home in the Target Center when they square off against the Indiana Pacers (25-15). Action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, and can be seen on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana.
Indiana Pacers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Odds
The Pacers were victorious over the Philadelphia 76ers in their last game, 101-95, covering as 3.5-point favorites. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, were beaten by the Oklahoma City Thunder, 117-104, and were not able to cover as 2-point underdogs. The Indiana game went 18.5 points under the projected point total of 214.5, while the Minnesota game finished 3 points over the projected point total of 218.
Indiana played a nearly flawless game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.291 (above their season average of 0.171) and a turnover percentage of 8.3 (better than their season average of 11.3). For those same stats, Philadelphia was 0.169 and 10.2, respectively. Minnesota, on the other hand, had a much better turnover percentage (8.2 vs. 13.8). Minnesota’s Robert Covington had a solid performance, finishing with 18 points. Malcolm Brogdon, meanwhile played a key role for Indiana with 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
This was a highly contested series last year, as the teams split their two games last season. The Pacers won the last game 122-115. The Pacers’ turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Timberwolves. Indiana had a rate of 10.1, while Minnesota posted a mark of 12.6. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Games involving the Pacers have no tendency in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under. Indiana holds records of 25-15 straight up (SU) and 21-17-2 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Timberwolves’ 39 games, 21 have finished over the total. Further, Minnesota is 15-24 SU and 16-21-2 ATS.
It will be a battle of conflicting tempos as the up-tempo Timberwolves (ranked first in the league in possessions per game) will look to push the more methodical Pacers (25th in possessions per game).
Indiana Pacers at Minnesota Timberwolves Odds Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Pacers average 25.9 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Timberwolves rank 10th in assists allowed per game (23.2).
- Minnesota ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (39.3) while Indiana ranks last (27.7).
- The Timberwolves average 14.1 second chance points per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. The Pacers rank 21st in second chance points allowed per game (13.4).
- Indiana blocks 5.1 opponent shots per game, which ranks 13th in the league. Minnesota ranks 24th in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
- Minnesota averages 48.9 points in the paint per game, which ranks 10th in the league. Indiana ranks 16th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.3).
- The Timberwolves rank second in steals per game (8.7) while the Pacers rank 24th (6.9).
- The Pacers rank 16th in fast break points per game (12.7) while the Timberwolves rank 27th (10.3).
- Indiana ranks 17th in points off turnovers per game (16.6) while Minnesota ranks 18th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.4).
- Indiana ranks 11th in rebounds allowed per game (44.9) while Minnesota ranks 29th (48.6).
- When holding opponents under 100 points, Indiana is 7-1 and Minnesota is 2-1.
- In games where they score above 100 points, the Pacers are 25-9 and the Timberwolves are 14-18.
- Minnesota is 5-12-1 ATS at home, while Indiana is 10-9 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 9 of the Timberwolves’ 18 home games, while 10 of the Pacers’ 19 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Indiana and Minnesota have both had 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Pacers are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Timberwolves are 2-3.
- The Pacers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.8, down from 3.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 111.8 points per game (0.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 116.0 points per game (1.2 above their season average).
