The New York Knicks (26-46) meet the Minnesota Timberwolves (41-31) at Madison Square Garden. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 23, 2018, and will air on MSG Network.
Minnesota is a 6.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 222.5 points.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks Free Prediction
The Timberwolves come in on a high note after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in their last contest, 123-109. Minnesota’s 0.581 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Los Angeles, who had a rate of 0.473. The Timberwolves’ mark was above their season average of 0.527, while the Clippers’ was below their season average of 0.528. With 30 points on 10-for-19 shooting, Karl-Anthony Towns was the game’s leading scorer.
The last time the Knicks played, they were blown out by the Miami Heat, 119-98. Miami’s 7.3 turnover percentage was their largest strength over New York, who had a mark of 12.9. The Heat’s mark was better than their season average of 12.8. With 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting, Enes Kanter was the game’s leading scorer.
New York could dominate the offensive glass in this showdown. The Knicks are among the NBA’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking fifth in offensive rebounding percentage at 24.6 percent. Meanwhile, Minnesota ranks 28th in the NBA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 75.9 percent. Ball security should be an advantage for the Timberwolves. They rank 2nd at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.0 percent), while the Knicks force the sixth-fewest turnovers in the NBA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 13.1 percent).
Minnesota comes into the game with records of 41-31 straight up (SU) and 33-36-3 against the spread (ATS). Timberwolves games have typically finished over the total (56.9 percent).
Meanwhile, New York owns records of 26-46 SU and 33-39 ATS. Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Knicks games, with 36 overs compared to 34 unders.
Jeff Teague has averaged 15.0 points, 8.4 assists and 1.8 steals over the last five games for Minnesota.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Towns scored a game-high 23 points in the first game, in which the Timberwolves beat the Knicks 118-108, covering as 8.5-point favorites. He also recorded 15 rebounds and nine assists. The game finished with a total of 226 points, which was 17.5 points above the projected point total of 208.5 points. The Timberwolves had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (37.2 vs. 25.0) and had a much better turnover percentage (10.5 vs. 15.5).
Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks Free Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Minnesota is 15-19-2 ATS on the road with 20 overs and 16 unders.
At home, New York is 19-16 ATS with 18 unders and 17 overs.
New York is 12-3 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Minnesota is 16-4.
When scoring more than 100 points, the Knicks are 25-24 and the Timberwolves are 39-21.
Minnesota ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.4) while New York ranks 24th (8.3).
The Timberwolves average 17.7 points off turnovers per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Knicks rank 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.6).
New York averages 13.6 second chance points per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 21st in second chance points allowed per game (13.0).
The Knicks rank seventh in points in the paint per game (46.7) while the Timberwolves rank 20th in points allowed in the paint per game (45.9).
Minnesota ranks second in rebounds allowed per game (41.5) while New York ranks 15th (42.7).
The Timberwolves rank 18th in three pointers allowed per game (29.8) while the Knicks rank 27th (30.7).
New York averages 5.2 blocks per game, which ranks sixth in the league. Minnesota ranks 13th in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
The Knicks rank 14th in assists per game (22.9) while the Timberwolves rank 21st in assists allowed per game (24.0).
Minnesota is 26th in the league with 9.6 fast break points per game while New York is 29th with 8.2 fast break points per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Minnesota is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
New York is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders, 1 over and 1 push over their last five games.
The Timberwolves have scored an equal number of points as their opponents. On the season, Minnesota has defeated opponents by an average of 2.4 points.
During their last five games, the Knicks have scored an average of 107.8 points per game (3.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.0 points per game (0.3 above their season average).
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