The Minnesota Timberwolves (34-24) look to continue their 12-game home winning streak in a matchup against the Sacramento Kings (17-37) at Target Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 11, 2018, and will air on NBC Sports – California.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 213 points with Minnesota opening as a 13-point favorite.
Sacramento Kings at Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Prediction
In the Kings’ last game, they were dismantled by the Portland Trail Blazers, 118-100. Portland’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Sacramento. The Trail Blazers had a rate of 0.574 (above their season average of 0.512), while the Kings posted a mark of 0.472. Willie Cauley-Stein led Sacramento in scoring with 19 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
The Timberwolves lost a tough one against the Chicago Bulls in their last outing, 114-113. Chicago’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over Minnesota. The Bulls had a rate of 10.3 (better than their season average of 11.9), while the Timberwolves posted a mark of 11.6. With 38 points on 11-for-26 shooting, Jimmy Butler was the game’s leading scorer.
The productive offense of Minnesota (third in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 111.9) will battle against the bottom-tier defense of Sacramento (29th in the league with a defensive efficiency of 110.7). The Timberwolves figure to have the edge on that end of the court.
Sacramento heads into the contest with records of 17-37 straight up (SU) and 22-29-3 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Kings’ games have finished over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Minnesota owns records of 34-24 SU and 28-27-3 ATS. Games involving the Timberwolves also have a slight tendency to go over the projected point total (51.7 percent).
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Zach Randolph (15.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals) has been stellar for the Kings while Butler (28.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.2 steals) has made great contributions to the Timberwolves.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Karl-Anthony Towns scored a game-high 30 points and the Timberwolves beat the Kings 119-96, covering as 11.5-point favorites. He also put up 14 rebounds and five assists. The game finished with a total of 215 points, which was 13.5 points above the projected point total of 201.5 points. The Timberwolves knocked down 17 of their 20 free throws (85.0 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (9.0 vs. 13.2).
Sacramento Kings at Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Sacramento is 12-14-3 ATS on the road with 14 overs, 14 unders and 1 push.
Minnesota is 15-12-1 ATS at home with 14 overs, 13 unders and 1 push.
Sacramento is 11-4 when they allow under 100 points, while Minnesota is 16-4.
When reaching the century mark, the Kings are 12-13 and the Timberwolves are 32-15.
Minnesota ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.3) while Sacramento ranks 20th (8.1).
The Timberwolves rank third in points off turnovers per game (18.5) while the Kings rank 22nd (15.5).
Minnesota ranks third in second chance points per game (14.4) while Sacramento ranks 19th (11.7).
The Timberwolves rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.3) while the Kings rank 20th (43.8).
Minnesota ranks fifth in points in the paint per game (48.2) while Sacramento ranks 18th (43.1).
The Timberwolves rank 13th in assists per game (22.8) while the Kings rank 25th (21.0).
Minnesota ranks 20th in three pointers allowed per game (29.7) while Sacramento ranks 29th (31.6).
The Timberwolves rank 22nd in blocks per game (4.2) while the Kings rank 25th (4.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Sacramento is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Minnesota is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Kings’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.6, down from 8.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 116.2 points per game (6.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.8 points per game (5.4 above their season average).
