The Orlando Magic (8-9), who are currently riding a five-game losing streak, will attempt to get back in the win column when they head to Target Center to meet the Minnesota Timberwolves (10-7). The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 215 points with Minnesota set as a 7-point favorite. Action starts at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, and it can be seen on Fox SportsNet Florida.
Orlando Magic vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Free Preview
The Magic lost to the Indiana Pacers in their last outing, 105-97. With 25 points on 11-for-19 shooting, Nikola Vucevic led Orlando in scoring. Indiana forced the Magic into a turnover percentage of 18.9 (above their season average of 13.7). Orlando, on the other hand, held the Pacers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.0 (below the 25.6 mark opponents have averaged against Orlando this season).
The last time the Timberwolves played, they were beaten by the Charlotte Hornets, 118-102. With 18 points and 12 rebounds, Minnesotas Karl-Anthony Towns put together a solid outing. Charlotte had an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.2 (above their season average of 20.9). Minnesota, on the other hand, had a much better turnover percentage (9.0 vs. 14.8).
The offensive glass could be a huge edge for Minnesota in this contest. The Timberwolves rank seventh in offensive rebounding percentage (24.8 percent), while Orlando ranks 28th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.0 percent).
Of Orlandos 17 games, 10 have finished under the projected point total, while 9 of Minnesotas 17 games have finished under the O/U total. The Timberwolves have the substantial advantage straight up (SU) (10-7 vs. 8-9), but both teams have the same against the spread (ATS) record (8-8-1).
This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Timberwolves won both contests played against each other last season. In the last game, Minnesota won 111-105. One of Minnesotas largest strengths was getting to the charity stripe. They made 26 trips to the line, while Orlando went 19 times.
Orlando Magic vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Magic, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Magic rank fourth in assists per game (24.0) while the Timberwolves rank 23rd in assists allowed per game (23.8).
- Orlando ranks 12th in three pointers attempted per game (30.0) while Minnesota ranks 28th (23.0).
- Orlando averages 11.3 fast break points per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 29th in fast break points allowed per game (14.4).
- Orlando averages 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 19th in blocks allowed per game (5.4).
- Orlando is 5-3-1 ATS on the road with 5 unders and 4 overs.
- Minnesota is 4-3 ATS at home with 4 unders, 2 overs and 1 push.
- In games where they allow less than 100 points, Minnesota is 7-0 and Orlando is 5-1.
- When reaching the century mark, the Magic are 8-4 and the Timberwolves are 9-5.
- The Timberwolves average 9.0 steals per game, which ranks third in the league. The Magic rank 20th in steals allowed per game (8.5).
- Minnesota ranks fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.4) while Orlando ranks 26th (46.7).
- The Timberwolves average 46.6 points in the paint per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Magic rank 28th in points allowed in the paint per game (50.9).
- The Timberwolves rank fourth in points off turnovers per game (19.1) while the Magic rank 17th (16.9).
- Minnesota ranks sixth in second chance points per game (13.6) while Orlando ranks 26th (9.5).
Bettings Trends:
- Minnesota is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Orlando is 1-3-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Timberwolves have outscored opponents by an average of 5.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Minnesota has lost by an average of 0.5 points.
- During their last five games, the Magic have scored an average of 96.6 points per game (10.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.8 points per game (4.7 above their season average).
