Detroit Pistons at Minnesota Timberwolves Free Prediction 12/19/18

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The Minnesota Timberwolves (14-16) will be 5-point favorites at home in the Target Center when they challenge the Detroit Pistons (14-14). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 219 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports – North at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.

Detroit Pistons at Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Odds

The last time the Timberwolves were in action, they easily covered the 8-point spread against the Sacramento Kings, 132-105. The Pistons, meanwhile, were beat by the Milwaukee Bucks, 107-104, and failed to cover as 3-point underdogs. The Minnesota game went 6 points over the projected point total of 231, while the Detroit game finished 13.5 points under the projected point total of 224.5.

Minnesota dominated every stat category in the contest. They had a solid offensive rebounding percentage of 27.3 (above their season average of 24.5) and a free throw rate of 0.268 (above their season average of 0.208). Sacramento had marks of 11.3 and 0.167, respectively, for those same stats. Detroit, meanwhile, held Milwaukee to an offensive rebounding percentage of 12.5 (below their season average of 22.6). Karl-Anthony Towns fueled Minnesota with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Meanwhile, Detroit rallied around Blake Griffin, who accumulated 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. This gave him his zeroth triple-double of the year.

The Pistons dominated this series last year, securing victories in both games. In the most recent game, Detroit won 100-97. The Pistons’ 25.6 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over the Timberwolves, who had a mark of 18.8. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.

Pistons games have no tendency in regards to the O/U total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under. Detroit holds records of 14-14 straight up (SU) and 14-13-1 against the spread (ATS).

Of the Timberwolves’ 30 games, 19 have finished under the total. Moreover, Minnesota is 14-16 SU and 16-14 ATS.

Detroit could struggle to create turnovers. Minnesota ranks third in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.8 percent), while Detroit forces the 17th-most turnovers (13.8 percent). Furthermore, the Pistons, who rank fourth in offensive rebounding percentage (26.0 percent), will square off against the Timberwolves, who rank 29th in defensive rebounding percentage (73.5 percent).

Pistons at Timberwolves Odds Pick

NBA Tip: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Timberwolves average 48.266666666666666 points in the paint per game, which ranks 14 in the NBA. The Pistons rank 21 in points allowed in the paint per game (50.42857142857143).
  • Detroit ranks second in second chance points allowed per game (11.2) while Minnesota ranks 24th (14.9).
  • The Timberwolves rank seventh in blocks per game (5.7) while the Pistons rank 27th (4.0).
  • Detroit averages 47.5 rebounds per game, which ranks fifth in the league. Minnesota ranks 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (46.1).
  • Detroit ranks 5 in fast break points allowed per game (11.214285714285714) while Minnesota ranks 20 (14.266666666666667).
  • The Timberwolves rank second in steals per game (9.2) while the Pistons rank 23rd (6.9).
  • The Pistons rank 11 in assists allowed per game (23.571428571428573) while the Timberwolves rank 27 (25.566666666666666).
  • Minnesota ranks 5 in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.4) while Detroit ranks 12 (16.357142857142858).
  • Detroit ranks seventh in three pointers allowed per game (29.3) while Minnesota ranks 28th (34.2).
  • When holding opponents below 100 points, Minnesota is 6-0 and Detroit is 2-0.
  • The Timberwolves are 14-11 when they reach 100 points, while the Pistons are 14-10.
  • Minnesota is 11-5 ATS at home, while Detroit is 7-4 ATS on the road.
  • The total has gone over in 5 of the Pistons’ 11 road games, while 8 of the Timberwolves’ 16 home games have gone over.

Bettings Trends:

  • The Pistons are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Timberwolves are 2-3.
  • In their last five games, Detroit has 3 unders, 1 over and 1 push, while Minnesota has 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • The Pistons’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.4, up from 0.9 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 114.8 points per game (4.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 116.4 points per game (5.8 above their season average).