The Brooklyn Nets (14-23) challenge the Minnesota Timberwolves (24-14) at Barclays Center. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, and will air on YES Network.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 213.5 points with Minnesota opening as a 6.5-point favorite.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Brooklyn Nets ATS Prediction
The Timberwolves will be hoping for a similar outcome after dismantling the Los Angeles Lakers in their last outing, 114-96. The Timberwolves forced 24 turnovers and had a free throw rate of 0.333 (above their season average of 0.228). Andrew Wiggins was a key piece for Minnesota with 21 points and nine rebounds.
In the Nets’ last game, they barely escaped the Orlando Magic, 98-95. Brooklyn’s 0.494 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Orlando, who had a mark of 0.396. The Nets’ mark was below their season average of 0.510, while the Magic’s was below their season average of 0.521. With 14 points and 10 rebounds, DeMarre Carroll had a good outing for Brooklyn.
It will be a battle of conflicting styles as the up-and-down Nets will look to push the more grind-it-out Timberwolves. The Nets rank fourth in possessions per game while the Timberwolves are 21st. Additionally, the Timberwolves rank third in turnover percentage (12.9 percent), while the Nets rank 29th in opponents’ turnover percentage (12.6 percent).
Minnesota is 24-14 straight up (SU), but they are just 17-19-2 against the spread (ATS). Of the Timberwolves’ 38 games, 17 have finished under, 20 have finished over and one has pushed.
Brooklyn is 22-15 ATS, despite being 14-23 SU. Contrary to Minnesota, a little over half of Nets games have finished under the projected point total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Jimmy Butler (28.0 points, 5.6 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals) has been stellar for the Timberwolves while Caris LeVert (16.4 points, 6.4 assists and 1.2 steals) has contributed greatly to the Nets.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. The Timberwolves won the last matchup 129-109. The Timberwolves had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (27.1 vs. 12.2) and had a better turnover percentage (9.3 vs. 12.7).
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Brooklyn Nets ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Nets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Minnesota is 11-7-1 ATS on the road with 11 overs and 8 unders.
At home, Brooklyn is 9-7 ATS with 8 overs and 8 unders.
When allowing under 100 points, Minnesota is 11-2 and Brooklyn is 9-0.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Timberwolves are 22-8 and the Nets are 11-17.
Brooklyn ranks second in three pointers attempted per game (34.1) while Minnesota ranks 28th (23.0).
The Timberwolves rank third in rebounds allowed per game (41.1) while the Nets rank 28th (46.0).
Minnesota ranks fourth in steals per game (9.0) while Brooklyn ranks 28th (6.5).
The Timberwolves rank third in points off turnovers per game (18.8) while the Nets rank 24th (15.3).
Minnesota ranks fourth in points in the paint per game (47.8) while Brooklyn ranks 22nd in points allowed in the paint per game (45.6).
The Nets rank eighth in assists allowed per game (21.5) while the Timberwolves rank 26th (24.1).
Minnesota ranks 10th in blocks allowed per game (4.6) while Brooklyn ranks 26th (5.5).
The Timberwolves average 14.1 second chance points per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Nets rank 18th in second chance points allowed per game (12.4).
Brooklyn ranks 15th in fast break points per game (10.6) while Minnesota ranks 24th in fast break points allowed per game (13.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Minnesota is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Brooklyn is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Timberwolves’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.8, up from 2.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Nets have scored an average of 104.8 points per game (2.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 105.4 points per game (4.2 below their season average).
