Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks NBA Game Picks 2/22/2019

Friday, February 22, 2019

Madison Square Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves head to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks on Friday, February 22, 2019. The opening line for this game has Minnesota as 6.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves have a record of 27-30. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of 0.2 as they average 111.9 points per game while giving up 111.7 per contest. The Knicks have an overall mark of 11-47. They currently are 5th in the Atlantic Division. They total 105.3 points per contest and give up 114.0, which is a point differential of -8.7.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 29-28-0 against the spread this season

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 31-26-0 against the over/under this year

Important New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 25-31-2 against the spread this season

The New York Knicks are 27-31-0 against the over/under this year

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

02/21/19 PG Tyus Jones Ankle is upgraded to questionable Friday vs New York
02/13/19 G Andrew Wiggins Illness is probable
01/03/19 SF Robert Covington Ankle is out indefinitely

Key New York Knicks Injuries

02/20/19 PG Emmanuel Mudiay Shoulder is upgraded to probable Friday vs Minnesota
02/15/19 SF Mario Hezonja Leg is questionable Friday vs Minnesota
02/09/19 PG Frank Ntilikina Groin is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns comes into this game averaging 23.1 points per contest while playing 33.1 minutes per night this year. He grabs 12.0 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.2 assists per game. His FG percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is 85%. Andrew Wiggins averages 17.9 points per contest in 34.7 minutes per game. He averages 2.4 assists per game and 4.8 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 40% for the season while his free throw percentage is 71%.

Player Spotlight

Kevin Knox scores 12.5 points per contest while playing 28.2 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.3 rebounds per contest and has 0.9 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 36% and his free throw percentage is at 72%. Dennis Smith averages 13.7 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 28.9 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.0 rebounds per game and has 4.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 64%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 111.9 points per contest, which is 17th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.2 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 19th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They average 45.1 boards per contest and 24.5 assists per game, which ranks them 17th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 27th with 13.2 per game. The Timberwolves allow 111.7 points per contest, which is 18th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 28th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 44.9 rebounds a game which ranks 17th, and they allow 25.5 assists per game which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New York is 26th in the NBA with 105.3 points per contest this season. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -8.69. They shoot 34% from beyond the arc, which is good for 29th in the league. They are 22nd in the NBA in rebounding with 44.3 boards per contest and 30th in assists per game with 19.9. The Knicks are 23rd in turnovers per contest with 13.7. The Knicks give up 114.0 points per game, which ranks them 25th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 23rd and 19th in those defensive statistics. They rank 25th with 25.6 dimes allowed per game and 29th with 48.0 boards surrendered per contest. The Knicks are 16th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.6, and their defensive rating of 111.4 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 16th in the league with 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 25th. As a team they are 22nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league. Minnesota is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 10th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 24th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 5th in the NBA. The Knicks are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 113.4, and their offensive rating of 104.8 is ranked 26th. They are 15th in the NBA in pace with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 30th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 22nd in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Timberwolves/Knicks NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Minnesota -6.5

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