The Minnesota Timberwolves (12-21) square off with the Golden State Warriors (9-26) at the Target Center. The game will air on NBC Sports – California at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 2, 2020.
Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Prediction
In the Warriors’ last matchup, they were defeated by the San Antonio Spurs, 117-113, but they did cover as 11-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (230) came in over the O/U total of 217. San Antonio’s offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over Golden State. The Spurs had a rate of 22.2 (above their season average of 20.9), while the Warriors posted a mark of 17.3 (below their season average of 23.0). Alec Burks was the game’s leading scorer with 28 points on 9-for-20 shooting.
The Timberwolves lost a tough one against the Milwaukee Bucks in their last contest, 106-104, despite being 4.5-point favorites. The game’s combined points (210) came in under the O/U total of 216. Milwaukee won the rebounding battle. The Bucks had more offensive rebounds (12 vs. six), defensive rebounds (48 vs. 42) and total rebounds (60 vs. 48). Minnesota’s Shabazz Napier had a good game, leading the team in scoring with 22 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Warriors won the most recent matchup 113-104, covering as 1-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 217 points, which was just 3.5 points below the projected point total of 220.5 points. The Warriors had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (29.5 vs. 17.6) and had a better free throw rate (0.287 vs. 0.264). Burks was a top performer in the victory, with 25 points and eight assists.
Golden State comes into the contest with records of 9-26 straight up (SU) and 17-18 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Warriors’ games have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Minnesota is 12-21 SU and 12-18-2 ATS. Contrary to Golden State, just over half of Timberwolves games have finished over the total.
It will be a matchup of contrasting styles as the fast-paced Timberwolves will look to push the more methodical Warriors. The Timberwolves rank first in possessions per game while the Warriors are 14th.
Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
On the road, Golden State is 9-9 ATS with 10 overs and 8 unders.
Minnesota is 3-11-1 ATS at home with 8 overs and 7 unders.
When allowing under 100 points, Golden State is 4-1 and Minnesota is 1-1.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Timberwolves are 12-15 and the Warriors are 9-17.
Minnesota ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (39.1) while Golden State ranks 27th (29.1).
The Timberwolves rank seventh in points in the paint per game (48.8) while the Warriors rank 27th (44.1).
Minnesota ranks fifth in blocks per game (6.3) while Golden State ranks 20th in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
The Warriors rank 13th in fast break points per game (13.4) while the Timberwolves rank 27th (10.2).
Minnesota ranks fourth in steals per game (8.5) while Golden State ranks 17th in steals allowed per game (7.9).
The Timberwolves average 13.8 second chance points per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. The Warriors rank 22nd in second chance points allowed per game (13.9).
Minnesota ranks sixth in rebounds per game (46.7) while Golden State ranks 19th in rebounds allowed per game (46.2).
The Warriors average 17.5 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 12th in the NBA. The Timberwolves rank 18th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.8).
Minnesota ranks 23rd in assists per game (21.9) while Golden State ranks 24th in assists allowed per game (25.3).
In its last five games, Golden State is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Minnesota is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over its last five games.
The Warriors have outscored opponents by an average of 1.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Golden State has lost by an average of 7.5 points.
During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 104.6 points per game (7.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 106.4 points per game (9.1 below their season average).
 square off with the Golden State Warriors (9-26) at the Target Center at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 2, 2020.){kind=link}