Offense meets defense when the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-4) welcome the Utah Jazz (4-2) to Target Center. The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 223 points with Utah opening as a 2.5-point favorite.
Utah Jazz vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Free Prediction
The Jazz will be looking for similar success after covering the 4.5-point spread against the Dallas Mavericks in their last game, 113-104. The total points for the game (217) came in over the O/U total of 213.5. Utah’s 0.588 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Dallas, who had a mark of 0.467. The Jazz’s mark was above their season average of 0.529. With 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting, Rudy Gobert was Utah’s leading scorer.
In the Timberwolves’ last game, they beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 124-120, despite being 1.5-point underdogs. The game’s total points (244) finished over the projected point total of 239. The Timberwolves knocked down 26 of their 30 free throws (86.7 percent), while the Lakers had a turnover percentage of 14.0 (above their season average of 10.9). With 25 points, 16 rebounds and six assists, Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns put together a good outing.
This battle pits one of the league’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Dating back to last season, Minnesota ranks fourth in offensive efficiency and Utah ranks second in defensive efficiency.
Utah heads into the game with records of 4-2 straight up (SU) and 4-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total low when the Jazz are involved, as four of their 6 games have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Minnesota is 3-4 SU and 3-4 ATS. Coinciding with Utah, games featuring the Timberwolves also have typically finished over the O/U total (57.1 percent).
These two teams split four games last season. In the most recent game, the Jazz won 121-97. The Jazz knocked down 18 of their 25 free throws (72.0 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.678 vs. 0.467).
Utah Jazz at Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Jazz, ATS Winner – Jazz, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
When holding opponents under 100 points, Utah is 38-8 and Minnesota is 20-4.
The Jazz are 47-15 when they score more than 100 points, while the Timberwolves are 48-28.
Minnesota ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.4) while Utah ranks 26th (8.4).
The Jazz rank third in second chance points allowed per game (11.0) while the Timberwolves rank 28th (13.5).
Utah ranks fourth in three pointers allowed per game (26.8) while Minnesota ranks 24th (30.7).
The Jazz rank first in assists allowed per game (19.8) while the Timberwolves rank 20th (23.9).
Utah ranks second in points allowed in the paint per game (41.9) while Minnesota ranks 20th (46.1).
The Jazz rank third in fast break points allowed per game (10.2) while the Timberwolves rank 20th (12.8).
Utah averages 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Minnesota ranks 15th in blocks allowed per game (4.9).
The Timberwolves rank ninth in points off turnovers per game (16.9) while the Jazz rank 17th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.9).
Utah allows the second-fewest rebounds per game (41.8) while Minnesota ranks third (42.4).
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