NBA Expert Picks: Indiana Pacers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction

Indiana Pacers (13-10 SU, 13-10 ATS) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (18-5 SU, 12-10 ATS)

When: Saturday, December 16th, 8:00 PM (ET)

Where: Target Center, MN, Minneapolis

TV: BSN

Point Spread: Ind +8.5/Min -8.5

Total: 245.5

Money Line: Indiana Pacers +283/-363

Notable Injuries

Pacers

• Jalen Smith (Out) Knee
• Tyrese Haliburton (Questionable) Knee
• Andrew Nembhard (Out) Knee

Timberwolves

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

Recent Form

Coming into today’s matchup vs. the Timberwolves, the Pacers are looking to stay above .500, as they currently have a 13-10 record. When playing on the road this season, the Pacers are 6-5 compared to their 7-5 record at home.

In their last ten games, the Timberwolves are 8-2 and come into today’s game vs. the Pacers with an overall record of 18-5. In Western Conference play, the Timberwolves are 13-3 and have gone 5-2 in non-conference games.

The Historicals

The Timberwolves have had the better record vs the spread over the last 5 games, going 3-2. The team’s average scoring margin in these contests sits at 5 points per game. In these contests, they averaged a combined 235 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 2-3.

Analysis

Coming off a good offensive performance, Indiana’s offense scored 123 points against the Wizards. Their field goal percentage for the game was 44.9%, and they went 12/16 from the free-throw line. Offensively, the Pacers have a season-long field goal percentage of 50%, which is 1st in the league. In terms of three-pointers, they are 7th in percentage and 5th in three-pointers made.

Coming into the game, the Pacers’ defense is giving up an average of 126.0 points per game. So far, they have given up more points than the NBA league average in 73.9% of their games.

Indiana’s defense is currently forcing 12.6 turnovers per game, which is 9th in the league. Additionally, they enter the game ranked 3rd in blocked shots, with an average of 6.3 rejections per game.

Coming off their recent game, the Timberwolves offense tallied 119 points in a matchup against the Mavericks. Their field goal percentage for the game was 50%, and they made 14 threes. Leading the Timberwolves in scoring vs. the Mavericks was Naz Reid with his 27 points. Karl-Anthony Towns also added 21 points for the Timberwolves.

At present, the Timberwolves’ defense is ranked 2nd, allowing 105.7 points per game.

Minnesota’s defense is currently forcing 14 turnovers per game, which is 21st in the league. Additionally, they enter the game ranked 4th in blocked shots, with an average of 6.3 rejections per game.

Betting Trends

• In their last five road games, Indiana has averaged 130 points per game while allowing 129. The team’s record in this stretch was 3-2 while going 3-2 vs. the spread.
• When looking at their past five home matchups, Minnesota has an ATS record of 4-1 while averaging 119 per game. The team went 4-1 overall in these games.
• Indiana has done well both straight up and vs. the spread as the underdog, going 3-2 SU and 3-2 ATS in their last five games.
• Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Timberwolves have a straight up record of 9-1. But their mark vs the spread was just 6-4.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The Timberwolves come into this matchup as the heavy 8.5-point favorites, as not only are they taking on a Pacers squad that fell to the Wizards last night, but they are also in danger of not having Tyrese Haliburton. Despite being questionable on the injury report, Anthony Edwards played against the Mavs in their last game and should be available. I’m taking Minnesota -8.5.