The Golden State Warriors (51-15) head to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves (38-29) in what should be a high-scoring game. The game can be seen on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 11, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 225 points with Golden State set as a 5-point favorite.
Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves Free Prediction
In the Warriors’ last contest, they were beaten by the Portland Trail Blazers, 125-108. Portland’s rebounding was their largest advantage. The Trail Blazers had 14 offensive rebounds and 46 total rebounds, while the Warriors had six and 33, respectively. Kevin Durant was the top scorer from either team with 40 points on 12-for-21 shooting.
The Timberwolves lost to the Boston Celtics in their last matchup, 117-109. One of Boston’s biggest advantages was getting to the charity stripe. They made 27 trips to the line, while Minnesota went just 13 times. Minnesota’s Nemanja Bjelica had a solid game, leading both teams in scoring with 30 points on 11-for-16 shooting.
This showdown figures to be a shootout as a pair of the league’s best offenses go head-to-head. Minnesota currently ranks third with 112.0 points per 100 possessions and Golden State is first (114.4). It will also be a tale of two tempos as the up-tempo Warriors rank fifth in possessions per game, while the more methodical Timberwolves rank 23rd.
Golden State has an outstanding 51-15 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 27-36-3 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Warriors’ games have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Minnesota is 38-29 SU and 30-34-3 ATS. Vegas has a tendency to set the total low when the Timberwolves are involved, as 55.2 percent of their games have gone over the total.
Jeff Teague has averaged 20.2 points, 5.0 assists and 2.2 steals over the last five games for Minnesota.
The Warriors have won both matchups against the Timberwolves this season, including a 13-point victory the last time these teams met. Golden State covered as a 13-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 239 points, which was 9.5 points above the projected point total of 229.5 points. Golden State launched 37 three pointers, making 21 of them (56.8 percent). Minnesota was, meanwhile, 6-20 (30.0 percent). Durant put up a triple-double in the victory, with 28 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.
Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Warriors, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Golden State is 14-18-1 ATS on the road with 18 overs and 15 unders.
At home, Minnesota is 16-16-1 ATS with 19 overs, 13 unders and 1 push.
Minnesota is 16-4 when they allow below 100 points, while Golden State is 13-2.
When scoring above 100 points, the Timberwolves are 36-19 and the Warriors are 48-11.
Minnesota ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.3) while Golden State ranks 29th (8.8).
The Timberwolves rank third in second chance points per game (13.9) while the Warriors rank last in second chance points allowed per game (13.9).
Golden State ranks first in fast break points per game (20.5) while Minnesota ranks 26th (9.6).
The Timberwolves rank fifth in points off turnovers per game (18.0) while the Warriors rank 28th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.7).
Golden State ranks first in blocks per game (7.8) while Minnesota ranks 23rd (4.3).
The Timberwolves rank fifth in points in the paint per game (48.5) while the Warriors rank 24th in points allowed in the paint per game (47.0).
Golden State ranks first in assists per game (30.3) while Minnesota ranks 20th in assists allowed per game (23.8).
The Warriors rank 12th in three pointers attempted per game (29.7) while the Timberwolves rank 29th (22.4).
Minnesota ranks fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.6) while Golden State ranks seventh (42.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Golden State is 0-4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Minnesota is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Warriors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.4, down from 8.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 111.2 points per game (1.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 109.0 points per game (1.8 above their season average).
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