The Minnesota Timberwolves (25-28) will travel to the Amway Center to go head-to-head against the Orlando Magic (22-32). The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 7, 2019, and will air on Fox Sports – North.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic Betting Odds
Both teams were beaten in their last matchup. The Magic (8.5-point underdogs) were defeated by the Oklahoma City Thunder, 132-122, while the Timberwolves (4-point favorites) fell to the Memphis Grizzlies, 108-106. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Orlando game finished 30 points over the projected point total of 224, while the Minnesota game finished 7.5 points over the projected point total of 206.5.
Minnesota had an offensive rebounding percentage of 37.2 (above their season average of 25.2) while Orlando did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (27-34; 79.4 percent). Aaron Gordon had a good outing for Orlando with 18 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. Minnesota, meanwhile, was led by Karl-Anthony Towns, who contributed 26 points and 18 rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Towns led the Timberwolves to a 120-103 win. He recorded a double-double with 29 points and 15 rebounds. Minnesota covered as a 4-point favorite and the two teams combined to put up 223 points, which was over the projected point total of 214. Minnesota’s rebounding was their biggest strength. The Timberwolves had more offensive rebounds (10 vs. five), defensive rebounds (44 vs. 30) and total rebounds (54 vs. 35).
Games involving the Timberwolves have a slight tendency to finish over the projected point total (50.9 percent). Minnesota holds records of 25-28 straight up (SU) and 26-27 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Magic’s 54 games, 30 have finished under the total. Further, Orlando is 22-32 SU and 26-25-3 ATS.
Orlando may have difficulty getting to the charity stripe in this showdown. The Magic rank 29th in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.167, while Minnesota ranks sixth in FTA rate allowed (0.187). Ball protection should be an advantage for the Timberwolves. They rank 3rd at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.3 percent). Conversely, the Magic force the eighth-fewest turnovers in the league (opponents’ turnover percentage of 12.7 percent).
Timberwolves vs. Magic ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Timberwolves rank 18th in rebounds per game (45.0) while the Magic rank 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (45.5).
- Orlando ranks first in second chance points allowed per game (11.0) while Minnesota ranks 26th (14.4).
- The Magic rank eighth in assists allowed per game (23.3) while the Timberwolves rank 25th (25.6).
- Minnesota ranks 15th in points in the paint per game (48.0) while Orlando ranks 27th (42.3).
- Orlando averages 31.5 three pointers per game, which ranks 15th in the league. Minnesota ranks 24th in three pointers allowed per game (33.0).
- The Magic rank fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.4) while the Timberwolves rank 27th (5.6).
- The Timberwolves rank 15th in fast break points per game (12.7) while the Magic rank 27th (9.8).
- Minnesota ranks sixth in steals per game (8.6) while Orlando ranks 25th (6.7).
- Orlando is 9-3 when they allow less than 100 points, while Minnesota is 10-0.
- In games where they reach the century mark, the Timberwolves are 24-22 and the Magic are 18-15.
- Orlando is 12-14-1 ATS at home, while Minnesota is 12-14 ATS on the road.
- The Timberwolves have 14 unders and 12 overs in 26 road games.
- In 27 home games, the Magic have 14 unders and 13 overs.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Minnesota and Orlando have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Magic are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Timberwolves are 1-4.
- The Magic’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 0.8, down from 3.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 104.8 points per game (6.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 108.6 points per game (2.6 below their season average).
