The Minnesota Timberwolves (3-4) and their phenomenal offense will be 2.5-point underdogs when they welcome the Utah Jazz (4-2) and their superb defense. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 223 points and action begins at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.
Utah Jazz at Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Odds
Both teams covered in their last contest. The Timberwolves (1.5-point underdogs) defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 124-120, while the Jazz (4.5-point favorite) beat the Dallas Mavericks 113-104. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Minnesota game went 5 points over the projected point total of 239, while the Utah game finished 3.5 points over the projected point total of 213.5.
The Jazz had a solid effective field goal percentage of 0.588 (above their season average of 0.529) and had a better free throw rate (0.237 vs. 0.209). Minnesota, on the other hand, dominated nearly every stat category in their game. They had a great free throw rate of 0.265 (above their season average of 0.245) and a turnover percentage of 11.2 (worse than their season average of 11.1). Los Angeles was 0.096 and 14.0, respectively, for those same stats. Karl-Anthony Towns put together a good outing for Minnesota with 25 points, 16 rebounds and six assists. Meanwhile, Utah was lifted by Rudy Gobert, who put up 23 points and 16 rebounds.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the productive offense of Minnesota takes on the top-notch defense of Utah. Dating back to last season, the Timberwolves rank fourth in offensive efficiency, while the Jazz are second in defensive efficiency. ,
Vegas tends to place the total low when the Jazz are involved, as four of their 6 games have ended over the projected point total. Utah holds records of 4-2 straight up (SU) and 4-2 against the spread (ATS).
Games featuring the Timberwolves also tend to finish over the total (57.1 percent). Moreover, Minnesota owns records of 3-4 SU and 3-4 ATS.
This was a highly competitive series last year. Each won two of the four games played against each other last season. The Jazz won the last game 121-97. One of Utah’s biggest strengths was getting to the charity stripe. They made 25 trips to the line, while Minnesota went just 14 times.
Utah Jazz vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- The Timberwolves rank ninth in points off turnovers per game (16.9) while the Jazz rank 17th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.9).
- Minnesota ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.4) while Utah ranks 26th (8.4).
- The Jazz rank first in assists allowed per game (19.8) while the Timberwolves rank 20th (23.9).
- Utah ranks second in points allowed in the paint per game (41.9) while Minnesota ranks 20th (46.1).
- Utah averages 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 15th in blocks allowed per game (4.9).
- The Jazz rank third in second chance points allowed per game (11.0) while the Timberwolves rank 28th (13.5).
- The Jazz rank third in fast break points allowed per game (10.2) while the Timberwolves rank 20th (12.8).
- Utah is second in the league with 41.8 rebounds allowed per game while Minnesota is third with 42.4 rebounds allowed per game.
- Utah ranks fourth in three pointers allowed per game (26.8) while Minnesota ranks 24th (30.7).
- In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Minnesota is 20-4 and Utah is 38-8.
- When scoring over 100 points, the Timberwolves are 48-28 and the Jazz are 47-15.
