The Los Angeles Clippers (8-14) will be at home in Staples Center when they meet the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-11). The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 214 points with Minnesota opening as a 5.5-point favorite. Action gets underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Clippers Odds Preview
The Timberwolves lost a tough one against the Memphis Grizzlies in their last game, 95-92. With 30 points on 11-for-21 shooting, Jimmy Butler was the top scorer from either team. Memphis did a great job of converting from the free throw line (21-24; 87.5 percent). Minnesota, meanwhile, forced the Grizzlies into a turnover percentage of 16.2 (above their season average of 13.1).
The last time the Clippers played it was against the Timberwolves. The two teams combined to put up 218 points in that game, which was just over the projected point total of 214. The Timberwolves won 112-106, covering as 12-point underdogs. The Timberwolves dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 6.4 and a ridiculous offensive rebounding percentage of 32.6. For those same stats, the Clippers were 16.2 and 22.2, respectively. Butler was the games leading scorer with 33 points.
Half-court execution will be critical when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams clash. Los Angeles currently ranks 21st in possessions per game (98.6) and Minnesota is 24th (98.0). Moreover, the Timberwolves rank fifth in offensive efficiency (109.4), while the Clippers rank 25th in defensive efficiency (108.6).
Of Minnesota’s 25 games, 12 have finished over the O/U total, while 11 of Los Angeles 22 games have finished under the O/U total. The Timberwolves have the superior straight up (SU) record (14-11 vs. 8-14), but both teams have comparable against the spread (ATS) records. Minnesota is 10-13-2 ATS, while Los Angeles is 9-13 ATS.
Both teams have had a player heat up over their last five games. For the Timberwolves, it’s been Jimmy Butler, who has averaged 23.2 points, 5.8 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals, while the Clippers have gotten great contributions from Lou Williams (23.6 points, 6.0 assists and 1.4 steals).
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Clippers Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Timberwolves rank second in rebounds allowed per game (40.8) while the Clippers rank 18th (43.6).
- Los Angeles ranks 16th in blocks per game (4.5) while Minnesota ranks 26th (3.4).
- Los Angeles ranks 15th in three pointers attempted per game (29.5) while Minnesota ranks 28th (22.9).
- Los Angeles averages 9.5 fast break points per game, which ranks 18th in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 27th in fast break points allowed per game (13.7).
- Minnesota is 6-6-1 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 6 unders.
- Los Angeles is 4-6 ATS at home with 5 overs, 4 unders and 1 push.
- In games where they allow under 100 points, Los Angeles is 5-1 and Minnesota is 7-2.
- When scoring above 100 points, the Clippers are 7-10 and the Timberwolves are 13-6.
- The Timberwolves rank 16th in assists per game (22.6) while the Clippers rank 28th (20.3).
- Minnesota ranks fourth in steals allowed per game (6.9) while Los Angeles ranks 27th (8.8).
- The Timberwolves average 14.5 second chance points per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Clippers rank 23rd in second chance points allowed per game (13.3).
- The Timberwolves average 18.3 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 10th in the league. The Clippers rank 20th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.9).
- Los Angeles ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (40.9) while Minnesota ranks 22nd (45.8).
Bettings Trends:
- Los Angeles is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Minnesota is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Clippers average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.8, up from 2.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 104.0 points per game (3.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 101.2 points per game (5.6 below their season average).
