The Minnesota Timberwolves (31-20) look to continue their nine-game home winning streak in a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets (18-31) at Target Center. The game will air on YES Network at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 27, 2018.
Brooklyn Nets at Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Prediction
In the Nets’ last matchup, they were dismantled by the Milwaukee Bucks, 116-91. Milwaukee launched 23 three pointers, making 12 of them (52.2 percent). Brooklyn, meanwhile, was 8-34 (23.5 percent). DeMarre Carroll put together a good game for Brooklyn, putting up 14 points and nine rebounds.
The Timberwolves fell to the Golden State Warriors in their last outing, 126-113. Golden State’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Minnesota. The Warriors had a rate of 0.657 (above their season average of 0.578), while the Timberwolves posted a mark of 0.485. With 31 points on 13-for-24 shooting, Karl-Anthony Towns was the top scorer from either team.
Minnesota could put on a ball-control clinic in this meeting. Minnesota ranks second in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.2 percent), while Brooklyn forces the fewest turnovers (12.0 percent). This game should be a matchup of opposite tempos. The up-tempo Nets rank fifth in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Timberwolves rank 22nd.
Although Brooklyn has a hard time winning games straight up (18-31 SU), they have an outstanding record against the spread (30-17-1). Games featuring the Nets have gone under the total 54.2 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Minnesota is 31-20 SU and 24-24-3 ATS. In opposition of Brooklyn, a little over half of Timberwolves games have finished over the O/U total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Carroll (17.6 points and 6.6 rebounds) has been stellar for the Nets while Andrew Wiggins (23.6 points) has contributed greatly to the Timberwolves.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Timberwolves lost 98-97, unable to cover as 6-point favorites. Jimmy Butler led both teams with 30 points. The game finished with a total of 195 points, which was 16 points below the projected point total of 211 points. Brooklyn launched 30 three pointers, making 14 of them (46.7 percent), while Minnesota was just 1-11 (9.1 percent).
Brooklyn Nets at Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Nets, ATS Winner – Nets, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Brooklyn is 17-8 ATS on the road with 13 unders and 12 overs.
At home, Minnesota is 12-12-1 ATS with 13 overs, 11 unders and 1 push.
In games where they allow less than 100 points, Brooklyn is 11-1 and Minnesota is 14-4.
The Timberwolves are 29-11 when they score above 100 points, while the Nets are 14-21.
Brooklyn ranks second in three pointers attempted per game (34.1) while Minnesota ranks 29th (22.3).
The Timberwolves rank fourth in steals per game (8.9) while the Nets rank last (6.1).
Minnesota ranks third in points off turnovers per game (18.5) while Brooklyn ranks 29th (14.3).
The Timberwolves rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.2) while the Nets rank 28th (45.9).
Minnesota ranks 10th in blocks allowed per game (4.6) while Brooklyn ranks 27th (5.7).
The Timberwolves rank third in second chance points per game (14.3) while the Nets rank 16th (12.2).
Minnesota averages 48.4 points in the paint per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. Brooklyn ranks 16th in points allowed in the paint per game (44.8).
The Nets average 22.3 assists per game, which ranks 16th in the NBA. The Timberwolves rank 24th in assists allowed per game (24.1).
Brooklyn averages 10.3 fast break points per game, which ranks 17th in the league. Minnesota ranks 24th in fast break points allowed per game (13.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Brooklyn is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Minnesota is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Nets’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.8, up from 3.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 113.2 points per game (4.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 118.4 points per game (12.3 above their season average).
