The Minnesota Timberwolves (11-12) square off against the Houston Rockets (11-11) at the Target Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 3, 2018, and will air on ATTSN Southwest.
Houston opened as a 1.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 220.5 points.
Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Free Prediction
The Rockets come in on a high note after covering the 13-point spread against the Chicago Bulls in their last contest, 121-105. The game’s total points (226) were over the O/U total of 218. The Rockets, who came into the game averaging an effective field goal percentage of 0.532, had a great mark of 0.595 and had a free throw rate of 0.250 (above their season average of 0.207). Clint Capela played a pivotal role for Houston with 18 points and 15 rebounds.
In the Timberwolves’ previous outing, they were beaten by the Boston Celtics, 118-109, despite being 1.5-point favorites. The game’s combined points (227) were over the projected point total of 216. Boston’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Minnesota. The Celtics had a rate of 0.571 (above their season average of 0.515), while the Timberwolves posted a mark of 0.506. Minnesota’s Robert Covington had 17 points and 10 rebounds in the game.
Houston might struggle to create turnovers. Minnesota ranks fifth in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.9 percent), while Houston forces the 15th-most turnovers (14.2 percent).
Houston heads into the contest with records of 11-11 straight up (SU) and 9-13 against the spread (ATS). Rockets matchups have typically finished over the projected point total (63.6 percent).
Meanwhile, Minnesota is 11-12 SU and 12-11 ATS. Unlike Houston, Timberwolves games have typically finished under the total (65.2 percent).
James Harden and Eric Gordon have played well over the last five games for Houston. Harden has averaged 35 points,12.2 assists,6.4 rebounds,2.0 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Gordon has recorded 24 points a game during that span.
After the Rockets won eight out of nine matchups against the Timberwolves last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the most recent contest, Houston won 122-104. The Rockets had a better turnover percentage (4.0 vs. 8.4) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (19.5 vs. 13.5).
Rockets vs. Timberwolves ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Houston ranks seventh in rebounds allowed per game (42.8) while Minnesota ranks 26th (47.0).
Minnesota averages 47.04347826086956 points in the paint per game, which ranks 15 in the league. Houston ranks 24 in points allowed in the paint per game (50.45454545454545).
The Rockets rank 3 in fast break points allowed per game (10.5) while the Timberwolves rank 11 (13.043478260869565).
Houston is 5-7 ATS on the road, while Minnesota is 8-5 ATS at home.
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five contests, Houston is 2-3 ATS with 5 overs.
Minnesota is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.8, up from 0.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 112.4 points per game (2.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 100.0 points per game (10.5 below their season average).
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