New York Knicks vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction 12/19/2024: NBA Picks

New York Knicks vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction

Game Time 9:00 pm EST
New York Knicks Line +2.5
Minnesota Timberwolves Line -2.5
Total 214.5
TV: NBA TV

 

Below is a detailed analysis for New York Knicks vs Minnesota Timberwolves game.

 

PREGAME WARM-UP:

Two teams sitting on the top-8 of their respective conference and playing much better lately are clashing tonight, when the Minnesota Timberwolves are hosting the New York Knicks. The Wolves have been red-hot lately, after a slow start to the season, and have lost just once in their last seven games. Minnesota is back home, where they are playing much better than on the road. the Knicks have been playing very good basketball lately and have lost just twice in their last nine games, and have climbed on the third place of the East. New York is playing their second straight road game, and are in the middle of a three-game road trip.

 

New York Knicks vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction

Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report: Joe Ingles is out

New York Knicks Injury Report: A. Hukporti is day-to-day, Mitchell Robinson is out

Minnesota Timberwolves Form and Trends

The Timberwolves have a 14-11 record this season and are tied with two more teams on the 6th place of the West. The Wolves are 11-14 against the spread and 12-13 in over/under. Minnesota has an 8-4 home record, but are just 4-8 against the spread, with a +6.6-point differential. The Wolves are 6-1 in their last 7 games and 5-1 against the spread in their last 6. Under is 6-1 in their last 7 games, as they have been playing excellent defense, having held their opponents into 92 points or less in all but one games in that span.

 

The Timberwolves are coming off a 106-92 win in San Antonio, even though they shot with just 40% from the field. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s offense with 26 points and 5 rebounds.

 

Edwards leads the Timberwolves both in scoring with 26.2 points, adding 5.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Julius Randle adds 20.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4 assists per game with his new team.

 

New York Knicks Recent Form and Trends

The Knicks have a 16-10 record this season and are sitting on the third place of the East. The Knicks are 12-13-1 against the spread and 14-12 in over/under. New York has an 8-6 road record, but are 6-8 against the spread, with a +2-point differential. The Knicks are 6-2 in their last 8 games but are 1-3 against the spread in their last 4. Under is 3-0 in their last 3 games.

 

The Knicks are coming off a 100-91 win in Orlando, as they held the Magic into just 42% shooting from the field and 30% from beyond the arc. Four of five New York’s starters scored double digits, led by Jalen Brunson with 31 points and 5 assists.

 

Brunson leads the Knicks both in scoring with 25 points, and in assists made with 7.7 per game. Karl-Anthony Towns adds 24.8 points and a team-high 13.9 rebounds.

 

Statistical Breakdown

Offensively, the Wolves average 109.8 points per game, which is 23rd in the league. They shoot 45.9% from the field (18th) and with 37.1% from beyond the arc (12th). Defensively, they allow 105.6 points per game, which is the third-best in the NBA.

 

Offensively, the Knicks average 116.4 points per game, which is the 7th-best in the NBA. They have the second-best field goal percentage, with 49.7%, and the second-best 3-point percentage, with 39.4%. Defensively, they allow 110.1 points per game (9th).

 

Both teams were tied 1-1 wins last season, with each one winning at home. The Wolves won their only meeting in Minnesota with a 117-100 score. Under is 7-3 in their last 10 meetings.

 

Prediction

In this New York Knicks vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction, the Timberwolves are coming as -2.5 home favorites. The Wolves are red-hot right now, but the Knicks are strong on the road and this looks like a balanced game regarding the side. The Wolves have been playing elite defense lately, and as a result they have been involved in lower scoring games. Both teams are 9-1 to the under in their last 10 games combined. The Knicks have scored 100 points in back-to-back games, and they are going to have serious trouble scoring against the red-hot Minnesota defense. I expect a low scoring affair, so take the under 214.5 points. Nick’s Pick: Under 214.5 points

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