The Minnesota Timberwolves (1-2) meet the Indiana Pacers (2-1) at Target Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, October 22, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports – North.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 224 points with Minnesota set as a 2.5-point favorite.
Indiana Pacers at Minnesota Timberwolves Free Prediction
The Pacers come in on a high note after comfortably covering the 8-point spread against the Brooklyn Nets in their last game, 132-112. The combined points for the game (244) came in well over the projected point total of 214.5. The Pacers had a much better turnover percentage (9.0 vs. 17.3) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.641 vs. 0.570). With 25 points on 10-for-20 shooting, Victor Oladipo was the game’s leading scorer.
In the Timberwolves’ last matchup, they were beaten by the Dallas Mavericks, 140-136. They failed to cover as 2-point underdogs. The game’s total points (276) came in well over the O/U total of 220.5. Dallas won the rebounding battle. The Mavericks had more offensive rebounds (15 vs. six) and total rebounds (42 vs. 33). With 31 points on 9-for-16 shooting, Karl-Anthony Towns was the top scorer from either team.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the league’s slowest-paced teams clash. Minnesota ranks 22nd in possessions per game (98.3) and Indiana is 27th (97.7) since last season.
Since last season, the Pacers are 50-35 straight up (SU) and 43-44-2 against the spread (ATS). Indiana games have had a slight tendency to go over the O/U total since last season (50.6 percent).
The Timberwolves are 48-37 SU since last season, but are just 37-48 ATS. Minnesota’s games have gone over the O/U total 54.1 percent of the time over that same time frame.
These two teams split two games last season. In the last game, the Timberwolves won 107-90. The Timberwolves had a much better turnover percentage (6.7 vs. 14.7) and had a better free throw rate (0.244 vs. 0.165).
Indiana Pacers at Minnesota Timberwolves Odds Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
Minnesota is 19-4 when they allow under 100 points, while Indiana is 30-5.
When scoring more than 100 points, the Timberwolves are 46-27 and the Pacers are 42-19.
Indiana ranks fourth in fast break points per game (15.0) while Minnesota ranks 24th (10.1).
The Pacers rank 15th in second chance points allowed per game (12.5) while the Timberwolves rank 26th (13.4).
Minnesota ranks fourth in points in the paint per game (49.2) while Indiana ranks 12th (45.2).
The Pacers average 18.5 points off turnovers per game, which ranks second in the NBA. The Timberwolves rank 10th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.3).
Indiana ranks second in steals per game (8.7) while Minnesota ranks seventh (8.2).
The Pacers rank 26th in three pointers attempted per game (24.7) while the Timberwolves rank last (22.5).
Minnesota ranks third in rebounds allowed per game (42.0) while Indiana ranks seventh (42.5).
The Timberwolves rank 24th in blocks per game (4.1) while the Pacers rank 26th (4.1).
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