The Minnesota Timberwolves (10-14) will try to put an end to their six-game losing streak when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers (19-7) at Target Center. The game will air on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 13, 2019.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 231.5 points with Los Angeles set as a 5.5-point favorite.
Los Angeles Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Prediction
The Clippers will be hoping for a similar outcome after comfortably covering the 2.5-point spread against the Toronto Raptors in their last game, 112-92. The gameโs combined points (204) came in well under the projected point total of 223. Los Angeles’ effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Toronto. The Clippers had a rate of 0.512 (below their season average of 0.521), while the Raptors posted a mark of 0.398 (below their season average of 0.531). Los Angeles received a boost from Kawhi Leonard, who was the team’s high scorer with 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
In the Timberwolves’ last outing, they were beaten by the Utah Jazz, 127-116, despite being 1-point favorites. The total points for the game (243) finished well over the projected point total of 220.5. Utah’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Minnesota. The Jazz had a rate of 0.663 (above their season average of 0.522), while the Timberwolves posted a mark of 0.522. With 32 points on 11-for-16 shooting, Jeff Teague was the top scorer from either team.
After the Clippers won two out of three meetings against the Timberwolves last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. In the last contest, Los Angeles won 122-111. Los Angeles made 16 of its 32 three pointers (50.0 percent). Minnesota, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (17.2 vs. 8.3).
Los Angeles comes into the contest with records of 19-7 straight up (SU) and 14-11-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Clippers’ 26 games, 16 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Minnesota is 10-14 SU and 9-14-1 ATS. Unlike Los Angeles, Timberwolves games tend to go over the total (62.5 percent).
Minnesota might struggle to score as they face off against one of the league’s best defenses. Los Angeles currently ranks seventh in defensive efficiency, while the Timberwolves rank 18th in offensive efficiency. Additionally, the Clippers rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (25.1 percent), while the Timberwolves rank 22nd in defensive rebounding percentage (76.3 percent).
Los Angeles Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Pick
NBA Tip: ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Los Angeles is 5-7 ATS on the road with 7 unders and 5 overs.
Minnesota is 2-8-1 ATS at home with 6 overs and 5 unders.
Minnesota is 1-0 when they allow under 100 points, while Los Angeles is 9-0.
The Clippers are 17-3 when they score above 100 points, while the Timberwolves are 10-10.
Los Angeles averages 15.9 second chance points per game, which ranks first in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 27th in second chance points allowed per game (15.2).
The Clippers average 49.2 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the league. The Timberwolves rank 24th in rebounds allowed per game (46.8).
Los Angeles ranks seventh in fast break points per game (14.8) while Minnesota ranks 26th (10.1).
The Timberwolves rank fifth in three pointers attempted per game (38.5) while the Clippers rank 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (34.8).
Los Angeles ranks seventh in points in the paint per game (49.3) while Minnesota ranks 21st in points allowed in the paint per game (50.3).
The Clippers rank fourth in assists allowed per game (22.4) while the Timberwolves rank 18th (24.6).
Minnesota averages 6.3 blocks per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 16th in blocks allowed per game (4.9).
The Timberwolves rank 11th in steals per game (8.0) while the Clippers rank 21st in steals allowed per game (8.1).
Los Angeles ranks eighth in points off turnovers per game (18.1) while Minnesota ranks 18th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.9).
Over its last five outings, Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Minnesota is 0-5 ATS with 5 overs over its last five games.
The Clippersโ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.8, up from 7.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 118.2 points per game (3.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 130.8 points per game (13.0 above their season average).