It will be a matchup of two teams headed in opposite directions when the Minnesota Timberwolves (29-16) square off with the Orlando Magic (12-31) at Amway Center. The Timberwolves have won five games in a row, while the Magic are on a seven-game losing streak. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, and will air on Fox SportsNet Florida.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 217 points with Minnesota opening as a 7.5-point favorite.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic Betting Prediction
In the Timberwolves’ last outing, they beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 120-103. The Timberwolves knocked down 27 of their 33 free throws (81.8 percent), while the Trail Blazers had a turnover percentage of 16.4 (above their season average of 12.6). Karl-Anthony Towns was a key piece for Minnesota with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
The Magic lost to the Washington Wizards in their last matchup, 125-119. Washington’s 9.6 turnover percentage was their largest strength over Orlando, who had a rate of 13.8. The Wizards’ mark was better than their season average of 12.3. Orlando’s Bismack Biyombo had 21 points and 13 rebounds in the game.
It will be a showdown of contrasting paces as the up-tempo Magic will look to push the more half-court-oriented Timberwolves. The Magic rank eighth in possessions per game while the Timberwolves are 21st. Furthermore, the third-ranked offense of the Timberwolves (offensive efficiency of 111.4) will battle against the 28th-ranked defense of the Magic (defensive efficiency of 109.9).
Minnesota holds records of 29-16 straight up (SU) and 22-21-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Timberwolves games, with 23 overs compared to 21 unders.
Meanwhile, Orlando owns records of 12-31 SU and 16-26-1 ATS. In opposition of Minnesota, just over half of Magic games have finished under the projected point total.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Jeff Teague had 22 points and 11 assists in the first matchup, in which the Timberwolves beat the Magic 124-118 but did not cover as 6.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 242 points, which was 24 points above the projected point total of 218 points. The Timberwolves knocked down 36 of their 45 free throws (80.0 percent) and had a much better turnover percentage (6.2 vs. 12.2).
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Orlando Magic Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Minnesota is 11-9-1 ATS on the road with 11 overs and 10 unders.
Orlando is 6-13 ATS at home with 11 unders and 8 overs.
When allowing under 100 points, Minnesota is 14-4 and Orlando is 6-3.
When reaching the century mark, the Magic are 12-16 and the Timberwolves are 27-8.
Minnesota ranks first in rebounds allowed per game (41.0) while Orlando ranks last (46.2).
The Timberwolves rank sixth in points in the paint per game (47.9) while the Magic rank last in points allowed in the paint per game (49.6).
Minnesota ranks third in steals per game (9.1) while Orlando ranks 22nd (7.1).
The Timberwolves rank second in points off turnovers per game (18.9) while the Magic rank 21st (15.3).
Minnesota ranks fifth in second chance points per game (14.2) while Orlando ranks 24th (10.5).
The Magic rank 13th in three pointers attempted per game (29.4) while the Timberwolves rank 28th (22.7).
Minnesota ranks 11th in assists per game (22.8) while Orlando ranks 26th in assists allowed per game (24.7).
The Magic average 12.5 fast break points per game, which ranks 12th in the NBA. The Timberwolves rank 21st in fast break points allowed per game (12.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Minnesota is 5-0 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Orlando 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 17.8, up from 4.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Magic have scored an average of 109.2 points per game (4.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 119.2 points per game (8.1 above their season average).
