The Minnesota Timberwolves (37-26) can end a seven-game road losing streak when they clash with the Sacramento Kings (18-41) at Golden 1 Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 215.5 points with Minnesota opening as a 6-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET on Monday, February 26, 2018, and it can be seen on NBATV.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Sacramento Kings ATS Preview
The Timberwolves dismantled the Chicago Bulls in their last contest, 122-104. Jeff Teague was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points on 8-for-17 shooting. Minnesota dominated every facet of the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.8 (below their season average of 24.9) and a turnover percentage of 9.4 (better than their season average of 10.9). Chicago was 8.9 and 12.4, respectively, for those same stats.
In the Kings’ last game, they were thoroughly outplayed by the Los Angeles Lakers, 113-108. With 18 points and 15 rebounds, Sacramento’s Willie Cauley-Stein put together a solid outing. Los Angeles did an excellent job of converting from the charity stripe (14-20; 70.0 percent). Sacramento, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.7 (above their season average of 21.4).
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the league’s slowest-paced teams clash. Sacramento currently ranks 26th in possessions per game (97.2) and Minnesota is 23rd (98.0). Moreover, the Timberwolves’ third-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 112.1) will try to exploit the Kings’ 29th-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 110.8).
Of Minnesota’s 63 games, 34 have finished over the O/U total, while 32 of Sacramento’s 59 games have finished over the projected point total. The Timberwolves have the clear advantage straight up (SU) (37-26 vs. 18-41), but both teams have comparable against the spread (ATS) records. Minnesota is 29-31-3 ATS, while Sacramento is 26-30-3 ATS.
Teague has been playing at a high level over the last five games for Minnesota, averaging 16.8 points, 6.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
These two teams have met twice already this year, with the Timberwolves winning both. Karl-Anthony Towns scored a game-high 29 points in the most recent matchup, in which the Timberwolves beat the Kings 111-106 but could not cover as 13-point favorites. He also recorded eight rebounds and six assists. The two teams combined for 217 points, which was 7 points above the projected point total of 210 points. The Timberwolves dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.378 and a solid effective field goal percentage of 0.561. For those same stats, the Kings recorded marks of 0.136 and 0.534, respectively.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Sacramento Kings Free Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Timberwolves rank third in second chance points per game (14.2) while the Kings rank 18th (11.8).
- Minnesota ranks 23rd in blocks per game (4.3) while Sacramento ranks 26th (4.0).
- Minnesota ranks 12th in assists per game (22.8) while Sacramento ranks 25th (21.4).
- Sacramento ranks 22nd in fast break points per game (9.8) while Minnesota ranks 25th (9.6).
- Minnesota is 13-16-2 ATS on the road with 16 overs and 15 unders.
- Sacramento is 11-16 ATS at home with 16 overs and 11 unders.
- When allowing less than 100 points, Minnesota is 16-4 and Sacramento is 11-4.
- The Timberwolves are 35-17 when they score more than 100 points, while the Kings are 13-16.
- The Timberwolves rank 20th in three pointers allowed per game (30.0) while the Kings rank 29th (32.1).
- Minnesota ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.3) while Sacramento ranks 20th (8.0).
- The Timberwolves rank fifth in points off turnovers per game (18.1) while the Kings rank 23rd (15.3).
- The Kings rank 17th in points in the paint per game (43.4) while the Timberwolves rank 20th in points allowed in the paint per game (45.8).
- Minnesota ranks third in rebounds allowed per game (41.5) while Sacramento ranks 20th (43.7).
Bettings Trends:
- Sacramento is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Minnesota is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Kings’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.4, down from 7.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 112.4 points per game (2.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.4 points per game (6.4 above their season average).
