Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Los Angeles Clippers (25-13 SU, 20-18 ATS) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (27-11 SU, 19-18 ATS)

When: Sunday, January 14th, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: Target Center, MN, Minneapolis

TV: BSN

Point Spread: LAC -1.5/Min +1.5

Total: 222.5

Money Line: Los Angeles Clippers -126/+105

Notable Injuries

Clippers

• Moussa Diabate (Out) Hand

Timberwolves

• Anthony Edwards (Questionable) Knee
• Jaylen Clark (Out) Achilles

Two of the top teams in the Western Conference will square off tonight in Minneapolis, as the Timberwolves host the Clippers at the Target Center. Minnesota is currently 1.5-point underdogs, and the over/under line is set at 222.5.

Los Angeles is currently on a three-game winning streak, and their record stands at 25-13. They are fourth in the Western Conference, and first in the Pacific Division. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are 27-11, and have a one-game lead over the Rockets for first place in the West.

Recent Form

This season, the Clippers have a record of 25-13 and are currently 4th in the Western Conference. Against other Western Conference teams, they are 19-10 and 6-3 in non-conference games.

On the road, the Clippers are 9-9 straight up and 9-9 against the spread. Their ATS record for the season is 20-18, and they have covered the spread in their last three games as the favorite.

As the favorite, the Clippers have a record of 25-6 this season, and they are favored by 1.5 points in today’s game. In their last three games as the favorite, they have gone 3-0 straight up.

In their last game, the Clippers defeated the Grizzlies by a score of 128-119. The O/U line for that game was 225 points, and the Clippers were favored by 8.5 points going into the game.

This season, the Clippers have an O/U record of 17-21, and the over has hit in their last three games. On average, their games have finished with 229.6 points, which is higher than today’s line of 222.5.

Minnesota’s ATS win streak is up to three games, and they have covered the spread in five of their last six games overall. At home, the Timberwolves are 9-8 ATS this season.

The Timberwolves’ O/U record for the season is 20-18, and today’s line of 222.5 is slightly lower than their season average of 223.3. In their last game, Minnesota and Portland scored just 209 points, which was below the O/U line of 220.

Minnesota is 4-5 as the underdog this season, and they have lost their last two games as the underdog. As for their overall record, the Timberwolves are 27-11 and are in 1st place in the Western Conference.

In their most recent game, Minnesota defeated the Trail Blazers by a score of 116-93. The Timberwolves were favored by 16.5 points in that game and easily covered the spread.

The Historicals

In terms of betting, Minnesota has an ATS record of 4-1 in the previous 5 matchups vs Los Angeles. This mark has come on an average scoring margin of +7 points per game in favor of the Timberwolves. The over-under record in these same games is 2-3, with the teams combining for an average of 215 points per game.

Analysis

So far this season, the Clippers are averaging 117.7 points per game, which is 8th in the NBA. Interestingly, they have been better on the road, averaging 117.8 points compared to 117.6 at home.

When it comes to pace, the Clippers are 26th in the league, averaging 97.3 possessions per game. In terms of field goal percentage, they are 5th at 49%.

When it comes to three-point shooting, the Clippers are 1st in three-point percentage at 39%. However, they are only 19th in three-point attempts per game.

On defense, the Clippers come into the game ranked 11th in the league in points allowed at 111.9 per game. Over their last three games, the team is allowing 116.7 points per contest (29th). Opponents are hitting 53.1% of their two-point field goal attempts this season, and they’re also connecting on 35.5% of their three-point attempts.

Heading into their matchup against the Clippers, the Timberwolves are 20th in the NBA in scoring at 113.2 points per game. However, they are just 25th in scoring at home, averaging 112.8 points per contest.

Minnesota is one of the more efficient shooting teams in the league, ranking 6th in field goal percentage. They have also been effective from beyond the arc, connecting on 38% of their three-point attempts.

When it comes to getting to the free-throw line, the Timberwolves are 10th in both attempts and makes. They are also 16th in assists, averaging 26.1 per game.

So far, the Timberwolves defense is giving up 107.4 points per contest, which has them sitting 1st in the NBA. One thing to note, is they have given up more points than their season average in three straight matchups. Inside the arc, the Timberwolves defense is giving up a shooting percentage of 50.1% and 34.9% from three-point territory.

Betting Trends

• When looking at their past five road matchups, Los Angeles has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 117 per game. The team went 3-2 overall in these games.
• Across their ten previous home games, Minnesota has an ATS mark of 6-4. Their straight up record in these matchups was 5-5 while averaging 112 points per game.
• Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Minnesota has an ATS mark of 2-1 while going 1-2 straight up.
• Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Clippers have a straight up record of 9-1. But their mark vs the spread was just 7-3.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

For today’s Wolves vs Clippers matchup, I got LA covering on the road. Look for the Clippers’ offense to be too much for Minnesota to handle, especially with Anthony Edwards still being bothered by a knee injury.