Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns ATS Prediction

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The Minnesota Timberwolves (13-15), 8.5-point favorites, will travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to square off against the Phoenix Suns (5-24). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 213 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports – North at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 15, 2018.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns ATS Odds

The Suns will look to keep it rolling after topping the Dallas Mavericks in their last contest, 99-89, as 6-point underdogs. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, were beat by the Sacramento Kings, 141-130, and failed to cover as 3-point underdogs. The Phoenix game finished 22 points under the projected point total of 210, while the Minnesota game finished 44 points over the projected point total of 227.

The Suns forced 23 turnovers and held the Mavericks to an effective field goal percentage of 0.429 (below their season average of 0.528). Minnesota, on the other hand, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (29.3 vs. 25.0). T.J. Warren had a good game for Phoenix, finishing with 30 points. Karl-Anthony Towns played a key role for Minnesota with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

This series was highly competitive last year. Each won two of the four games played against each other last season. The Timberwolves won the most recent matchup 115-106. Minnesota was successful at getting to and converting from the charity stripe. The Timberwolves made 25 of their 29 free throws (86.2 percent), while the Suns were just 15-24 (62.5 percent). This is the first time these teams will clash this year.

Matchups involving the Timberwolves have a tendency to go under the total (64.3 percent). Minnesota holds records of 13-15 straight up (SU) and 15-13 against the spread (ATS).

Suns games also tend to go under the total (58.6 percent). Moreover, Phoenix owns records of 5-24 SU and 10-19 ATS.

Towns and Andrew Wiggins have been playing well over the last five games for Minnesota. Towns has averaged 26 points,10.6 rebounds,2.0 blocks,1.4 steals per game, while Wiggins has put up 20 points a game during that span.

This has potential to be a sloppy game for the offense of Phoenix. Phoenix ranks 29th in the league in ball protection (turnover percentage of 15.9 percent), while the pesky defense of Minnesota forces the ninth-most turnovers in the league (14.7 percent).

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns Pick

Free Prediction: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Timberwolves rank 15 in assists per game (24) while the Suns rank 24 in assists allowed per game (25.344827586206897).
  • Minnesota ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.6) while Phoenix ranks 29th (9.3).
  • The Timberwolves rank sixth in second chance points per game (15.1) while the Suns rank 27th (10.1).
  • Minnesota ranks seventh in points allowed in the paint per game (45.8) while Phoenix ranks 27th (52.6).
  • Minnesota averages 14.035714285714286 fast break points per game, which ranks 13 in the league. Phoenix ranks 28 in fast break points allowed per game (17.137931034482758).
  • The Suns rank fourth in three pointers allowed per game (28.2) while the Timberwolves rank 27th (34.3).
  • The Timberwolves rank 9 in blocks per game (5.678571428571429) while the Suns rank 26 (4.241379310344827).
  • Minnesota ranks 23 in rebounds per game (43.75) while Phoenix ranks 29 (40.03448275862069).
  • Minnesota ranks sixth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.5) while Phoenix ranks 29th (20.9).
  • Minnesota is 6-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Phoenix is 2-1.
  • The Suns are 4-12 when they score more than 100 points, while the Timberwolves are 13-11.
  • Minnesota is 5-8 ATS on the road, while Phoenix is 7-8 ATS at home.
  • The Timberwolves have 10 unders and 3 overs in 13 road games.
  • The Suns have 9 unders and 6 overs in 15 home games.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Minnesota and Phoenix have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • The Timberwolves are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Suns are 2-3.
  • During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 113.4 points per game (2.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.0 points per game (2.0 above their season average).
  • The Suns\u2019 average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 11.6, up from 11.1 for the season.