The Utah Jazz will be at the Target Center to square off against a divisional foe in the Minnesota Timberwolves. The game starts at 8:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 26 and will air on RT and FNo.
The Timberwolves edged the Wizards 132-129 on Friday. Zach LaVine had 25 points, four assists, and two steals for Minnesota. The Jazz, meanwhile, are coming off an ugly 113-91 loss to the Thunder on Thursday. Trey Lyles accumulated 14 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
Over the last five games, a number of players have played well for the Timberwolves. Karl-Anthony Towns has led the way, averaging 25.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.4 blocks. LaVine (22.0 PTS, 1.4 REB, 3.2 AST, 1.4 STL, and 4.0 3PM) and Gorgui Dieng (14.0 PTS, 8.6 REB, 4.2 AST, 1.2 STL, and 2.0 BLK) have also played lights out.
The two teams have split their matchups this season. The Jazz had the upper hand in the most recent game, a 103-90 win. Towns had a double-double in the defeat with 32 points and 12 rebounds.
The Timberwolves enter the game with records of 24-48 Straight Up (SU) and 35-36-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have the same record SU and ATS against division opponents, going 5-8. Minnesota has averaged 94.3 points per game during divisional play, lower than its season average of 102.3. Minnesota has gotten to the free throw line often this season. They average 21.0 made free throws per game, which is the best in the NBA. Over their past 10 games, Minnesota’s defense has been playing lights out, only allowing 92.9 points per game, well under their season average of 106.1.
On the other side, the Jazz head into the game with records of 35-36-1 ATS and 35-37 SU. Most recently, Utah is 8-2 ATS over the last 10 games. During the last 10 games, they averaged 110.3 PPG, above their 97.6 PPG season average. Utah’s defense as a whole has been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking second in the NBA with only 96.6 points allowed per game.
With the Jazz’s last win against Minnesota, the head-to-head record between these two is now an even 5-5 SU over the past 10 meetings. The Timberwolves hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Uta
Notes
“Minnesota is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games “.
“The total has gone OVER in 14 of Minnesota’s last 21 games “.
“Minnesota is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games at home”.
“The total has gone OVER in 8 of Minnesota’s last 12 games at home”.
“Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Utah”.
“The total has gone OVER in 17 of Minnesota’s last 25 games when playing Utah”.
“Minnesota is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Utah”.
“Minnesota is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Utah”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 7 games when playing at home against Utah”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota”.
Minnesota ranks 18th in points per game with 102.3, while Utah ranks second in points allowed with an average of 96.6 given up.
Minnesota ranks 25th in points per home game with 101.5 points, while Utah ranks sixth in points allowed on the road with 99.8.
In its last game, Utah lost by a 22-point margin. Minnesota is 1-6 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Utah has a 10-7 record in blowouts.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Utah Jazz are a solid 32-12. In games where they score fewer than 100 points, the Minnesota Timberwolves have an abysmal record of 5-24.
Utah is a subpar 3-25 when it allows 100 or more points. Minnesota has a 19-24 record when it hits triple digits.
The Timberwolves have a defensive rating of 107.9 (ranked 27th), while the Jazz rank 17th for their offensive rating of 103.7.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking sixth in the league with a FG% of 46.4%. When their opponents record a similar or higher FG%, the Utah Jazz have a subpar 6-27 record.
On average, Minnesota attempts 15.0 three pointers and Utah attempts 23.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Timberwolves have a winning 2-1 record while the Jazz are even at 15-15.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.61, rank 15th in the NBA. The Utah Jazz have a lower A/TO (1.31), ranking 28th.
Minnesota ranks 27th in rebounds per game with 41.6, while Utah ranks 19th with 43.1 per game.
Minnesota is ranked 28th in defensive rebounds, while Utah ranks ninth in offensive rebounds.
Utah has forced an average turnover percentage of 14.3% this season. Minnesota has a poor 11-31 record when its TOV% is 14.3% or higher.
