The Minnesota Timberwolves (1-2) will be 2.5-point favorites at home in Target Center when they go head-to-head against the Indiana Pacers (2-1). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 224 points and it will air on Fox Sports – North at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, October 22, 2018.
Indiana Pacers at Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Odds
The Pacers easily got past the Brooklyn Nets in their last contest, 132-112, easily covering as 8-point favorites. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks, 140-136, and failed to cover as 2-point underdogs. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Indiana game finished 29.5 points over the projected point total of 214.5, while the Minnesota game finished 55.5 points over the projected point total of 220.5.
Indiana dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a solid turnover percentage of 9.0 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.641. Brooklyn was 17.3 and 0.570, respectively, for those same stats. Minnesota, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (34-40; 85.0 percent). Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns led the way, recording 31 points and five rebounds. Indiana received a boost from Victor Oladipo, who had 25 points and seven rebounds.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when a pair of the league’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Minnesota ranks 22nd in possessions per game (98.3) and Indiana is 27th (97.7) dating back to the 2017-18 season. ,
The Pacers are 50-35 straight up (SU) and 43-44-2 against the spread (ATS) since last season. A little over half of Indiana games have finished over the projected point total since last season.
The Timberwolves have had a respectable 48-37 SU record since last season, but are just 37-48 ATS. Games involving Minnesota have gone over the projected point total 54.1 percent of the time over that same stretch.
This series was highly competitive last year, as the teams split their two games last season. The Timberwolves won the most recent contest 107-90. The Timberwolves’ turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Pacers. Minnesota had a rate of 6.7, while Indiana posted a mark of 14.7.
Indiana Pacers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Free Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- The Timberwolves rank 24th in blocks per game (4.1) while the Pacers rank 26th (4.1).
- Indiana ranks fourth in fast break points per game (15.0) while Minnesota ranks 24th (10.1).
- The Pacers rank second in points off turnovers per game (18.5) while the Timberwolves rank 10th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.3).
- Indiana ranks second in steals per game (8.7) while Minnesota ranks seventh (8.2).
- Minnesota ranks third in rebounds allowed per game (42.0) while Indiana ranks seventh (42.5).
- The Pacers rank 15th in second chance points allowed per game (12.5) while the Timberwolves rank 26th (13.4).
- The Pacers rank 26th in three pointers attempted per game (24.7) while the Timberwolves rank last (22.5).
- Minnesota ranks fourth in points in the paint per game (49.2) while Indiana ranks 12th (45.2).
- Indiana is 30-5 when they allow less than 100 points, while Minnesota is 19-4.
- In games where they reach the century mark, the Timberwolves are 46-27 and the Pacers are 42-19.
