Indiana Pacers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Odds, Preview, and Prediction
- NBA odds make the Timberwolves small home favorites Monday night
- Get our expert’s prediction and pick for the Pacers vs. Timberwolves, plus an NBA futures bet
Pacers vs. Timberwolves Odds
| Pacers Odds | +2.5 |
| Timberwolves Odds | -2.5 |
| Over/Under | 217.5 |
| Date | Monday, Nov. 29 |
| Time | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | BSIN |
On Monday evening, the Indiana Pacers and the Minnesota Timberwolves will battle at the Target Center. Entering play, Indiana has won only three of their last eight games. Minnesota has won six of their last seven contests. Oddsmakers anticipate a tightly-contested affair between these two teams this evening, pricing the Timberwolves as 2.5-point home favorites on the spread.
Let’s take a closer look at Pacers vs. Timberwolves odds and NBA betting tips for tonight’s matchup on TNT.
Don’t Let Pacers’ Road Record Fool You
A quick glance at Indiana’s 3-9 record on the road will make anyone want to immediately fade this group this evening. However, a closer examination reveals a Pacers team that has simply struggled to win close games. Of their nine losses on the road, six have come by four points or less, and only one of their losses has come by more than nine points.
In their last eight games, the Pacers rank fifth in the NBA in defensive efficiency, allowing only 103.1 points per 100 possessions. Unsurprisingly, Indiana’s best defensive lineups feature Myles Turner on the floor. Yet, Turner’s presence also hinders the Pacers on the offensive end of the floor, where they rank only 22nd in efficiency over their last eight games.
From a scheduling perspective, this is a tough spot for Indiana. The Pacers played the Toronto Raptors at home on Friday, then played the Milwaukee Bucks at home yesterday. While typically playing the latter half of a back-to-back causes teams issues, the Pacers have defeated the Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, and New Orleans Pelicans by double-digits in such situations this fall.
Underrated Timberwolves Face Fatigue
The Timberwolves are one of the most underrated teams in the NBA. Over their last 10 games, they rank 6th in the league with a +7.8 Net Rating. Their recent success has been a direct result of their newfound commitment to the defensive end of the floor. Across their last eight games, only the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Clippers have a better defensive efficiency rating.
Per Cleaning the Glass, when Anthony Edwards, D’Angelo Russell, and Karl-Anthony Towns have been on the floor together this season, Minnesota is scoring 110.7 points per 100 possessions, and surrendering only 99.5 points per 100 possessions. Though this group is not quite ready to be dubbed a “big-three,” their collective success this season is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. It is worth noting that Minnesota’s best lineup also features Patrick Beverley, who is listed as out for tonight’s action due to a left adductor strain. When Beverely is removed from the lineup, both Minnesota’s offensive and defensive efficiency ratings get worse.
Though Minnesota is the better team in this matchup, their recent schedule could make this a difficult game for them to win. Tonight’s contest will be Minnesota’s third game in three different cities in four nights. On Saturday, the Timberwolves played a double-overtime affair against the Philadelphia 76ers, with Russell totaling 44 minutes and Edwards playing 48 minutes. Even young legs are likely to experience some fatigue in this situation.
Indiana vs. Minnesota Prediction and Picks
Though Minnesota is the better team in this matchup, the schedule is of real concern. This is especially true, considering that Indiana has proven themselves capable of performing at a high-level when they are on a back-to-back. Instead of playing a side in this contest, bettors should turn their attention to the total. Over their last eight games, these two teams both rank in the top-five of the NBA in defensive efficiency and are playing at a league-average pace. Tired legs should contribute to some poor shooting numbers. Take the under here.
PICK: Under 217.5 (-110), Timberwolves to make postseason (+184)
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