The Indiana Pacers (19-17) clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves (22-14) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game starts at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 31, 2017, and will air on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Indiana Pacers Betting Prediction
The last time the Timberwolves played, they were topped by the Milwaukee Bucks, 102-96. Milwaukee’s 20.6 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over Minnesota, who had a mark of 17.1. The Bucks’ mark was above their season average of 18.6, while the Timberwolves’ was below their season average of 25.0. Karl-Anthony Towns led Minnesota in scoring with 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting.
The Pacers were beaten by the Chicago Bulls in their last matchup, 119-107. Chicago’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Indiana. The Bulls had a rate of 0.612 (above their season average of 0.492), while the Pacers posted a mark of 0.500. With 30 points on 12-for-16 shooting, Darren Collison was Indiana’s leading scorer.
Indiana appears to have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Pacers rank seventh in offensive efficiency, while the Timberwolves rank 25th in defensive efficiency. Moreover, the Timberwolves could control the offensive glass in this contest as they rank fifth in the league in offensive rebounding percentage at 24.8 percent. The Pacers, meanwhile, rank 27th at securing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 75.8 percent.
Minnesota has a solid 22-14 straight up (SU) record, but they struggle covering the spread (15-19-2 against the spread (ATS)). Of the Timberwolves’ 36 games, 20 have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Indiana is 19-17 SU and 20-16 ATS. Unlike Minnesota, just over half of Pacers games have finished under the total.
Jimmy Butler has averaged 31.2 points, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Minnesota.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Collison had 15 points, 16 assists and five rebounds in the first game, in which the Pacers beat the Timberwolves 130-107, covering as 10-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 237 points, which was 18.5 points above the projected point total of 218.5 points. The Pacers’ 30.8 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over the Timberwolves, who had a rate of 20.9.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Minnesota is 10-7-1 ATS on the road with 11 overs and 7 unders.
Indiana is 10-9 ATS at home with 11 unders, 7 overs and 1 push.
Indiana is 9-1 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Minnesota is 9-2.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Timberwolves are 20-8 and the Pacers are 17-7.
Indiana averages 14.6 fast break points per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 25th in fast break points allowed per game (13.4).
The Timberwolves average 47.6 points in the paint per game, which ranks fifth in the league. The Pacers rank 26th in points allowed in the paint per game (46.6).
Indiana averages 18.6 points off turnovers per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 18th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.7).
The Timberwolves rank seventh in second chance points per game (14.0) while the Pacers rank 20th in second chance points allowed per game (13.2).
Indiana averages 22.8 assists per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 26th in assists allowed per game (24.4).
The Timberwolves rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.1) while the Pacers rank 15th (43.3).
Minnesota ranks fourth in steals per game (8.8) while Indiana ranks 12th (8.0).
The Timberwolves rank 18th in three pointers allowed per game (29.1) while the Pacers rank 25th (31.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Minnesota is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Indiana is 1-4 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 6.2, up from 1.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 102.4 points per game (5.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 107.6 points per game (0.6 above their season average).
