Sacramento Kings (8-6) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (11-3)
Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 11/24/23 – The Sacramento Kings (8-6) take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (11-3) on Friday in a matchup between two of the hottest teams in the NBA over the past couple weeks. Our expert handicapping provide their best bets and free predictions. The Kings have won 4 of their last 5 contests to get back over .500, led by star De’Aaron Fox averaging over 29 points per game. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are currently on a 4-game winning streak and have the second best record in the entire Western Conference. This showdown will feature two squads confidently entering play Friday night.
The Sacramento Kings boast a top 10 offense, averaging nearly 115 points per game. They like to push pace and get out running whenever possible. However, Sacramento does struggle on the defensive end, ranking 25th in opponents scoring. De’Aaron Fox is playing at an All Star level this year as the Kings clear go-to scoring option. But behind him, depth has been somewhat of an issue — Sacramento badly needs secondary scorers to step up.
Minnesota touts an improved defense this season to pair with their lethal offensive attack. Holding teams to just over 110 points per contest, the Timberwolves rank in the top half of the NBA defensively after years as a bottom third unit. Additionally, Anthony Edwards’ continued ascent into stardom has given Minnesota a clear alpha dog initiator to lead their dangerous offense. With defensive versatility and scoring across all three levels, this Timberwolves squad appears built for sustained success.
Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 11/24/23 Game Info
| When: | Friday, November 24, 2023 at 8:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Target Center |
| TV: | |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
De’Aaron Fox (PG) vs. Anthony Edwards (SG)
De’Aaron Fox has taken his game to new levels this season, cementing himself as Sacramento’s unquestioned franchise player. He ranks 7th in the NBA in scoring at 29.2 ppg while still distributing 5.3 assists. Fox uses his elite quickness and improved shooting to keep defenses guessing. He is fit as a fiddle and continues to log heavy minutes for the Kings without any signs of slowing down. The only critique of his season thus far is he needs to value possession more – his 1.9 turnovers per contest are a career-high. Nonetheless, he is ready to lead his team to victory again tonight.
Anthony Edwards has displayed tremendous progression in year three, looking like he may soon develop into a bonafide NBA superstar. His scoring average is up to 26.1 ppg on highly efficient 48/37/85 shooting splits. Edwards has showcased his tight handles and smooth jumper while also leveraging his strength and athleticism to be a force around the rim. His outside shooting and defense still have room for improvement, but at only 21 years old, his best basketball likely remains ahead of him. Edwards will surely be hungry to lead Minnesota to a win on their home floor tonight.
This matchup pits two electric, emerging talents against one another. Whichever player can exploit the other’s defensive weaknesses better should tip the scales for their team. If Edwards can’t keep up with Fox’s quickness, it will lead to easy looks for Sacramento all night long. However, if Fox struggles containing Edward’s strength, Minnesota’s young star could easily drop 30+ points on the Kings’ defense. This battle between two Western Conference risers could define who leaves with the victory.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: Minnesota Timberwolves -165, Total Odds: 229.5
Our experts specializing in basketball betting have identified odds value on the over 229.5 at -110 odds. In tonight’s expected high-paced contest, both teams should have no issues eclipsing 115 points. The Kings allow the 5th highest field goal percentage to opponents while the Timberwolves rank 21st in opponents scoring. This suggests we could be in for an old-fashioned shootout tonight in Minneapolis.
Sacramento Kings Betting Trends
The betting trends paint an intriguing picture for Sacramento coming into tonight’s game. The Kings are 5-2 against the spread in their last 7 matches, covering in over 70% of those contests. However, they have struggled mightily against the Timberwolves, going just 2-5 straight up and ATS in the previous 7 head-to-head meetings. One trend in Sacramento’s favor is that the total has gone under in 4 of their last 5 overall. If they can slow the game down and muck it up defensively, the under 229.5 points becomes an enticing wager.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends
Minnesota has been a covering machine lately, going 8-0 ATS over their last 8 home games. They are also currently on a 4-game win streak straight up. The Timberwolves are further motivated by a longtime rivalry with the Kings, boasting a 14-6 record over the previous 20 meetings between the clubs. Digging deeper, when Minnesota plays conference foes at home, they have a stellar 39-17 ATS record over the past 3 seasons. With the Wolves laying -4 points on their home floor tonight, the metrics suggest there is value backing them to cover that modest spread.
Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 11/24/23 Betting Picks
After analyzing all angles, there are two intriguing wagers to target for tonight’s Western Conference tilt. With both teams possessing explosive offenses combined with porous defenses, look for an uptempo, high-scoring shootout throughout. The over on the game total set at 229.5 points offers excellent value. Our free basketball picks also advise laying the points with the red-hot Timberwolves, as they have dominated this matchup against the Kings in recent years. Back Minnesota at -4 while they also continue their sterling 8-0 ATS run on home court.
Free Pick and Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves 118, Sacramento Kings 107