The Indiana Pacers travel to the Target Center to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. Here’s a Timberwolves vs Pacers Prediction. This article will include a Timberwolves vs Pacers Pick.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers have had a rough start to the season as they are still winless and are coming into this meeting fresh off a 128-103 road defeat to the Grizzlies last night. Benedict Mathurin led the team with 26 points and four assists on eight of 12 shooting, Aaron Nesmith added 15 points while Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin each scored 13 points but no other player finished in double figures in scoring.
As a team, the Pacers shot just 40 percent from the field and 14 of 40 from the 3-point line, but their struggles were on the defensive end as they leaked 37 points in the second quarter to fall behind by eight points at halftime. Before they got outscored by 68-51 in the second half to get blown out in the end. The Pacers got almost nothing from their bench players with Jarace Walker scoring just six points on two of 13 shooting and RayJ Dennis who finished with just seven points on one of nine shooting.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves failed to build on their win in their season opener as they are now hoping to bounce back after getting thrashed by the Lakers in a 128-110 road defeat on Friday night. Anthony Edwards led the team with 31 points, four rebounds and five assists, Julius Randle added 16 points with nine rebounds and six assists while Donte DiVincenzo chipped in with 13 points and four assists.
As a team, the Timberwolves shot 46 percent from the field and 13 of 38 from the 3-point line as they got off to a quick start with 40 points in the first quarter. But they couldn’t maintain that pace at all, especially in the second half where they got outscored by 92-70 the rest of the way to get blown out on the road. The Timberwolves had just four starters finish in double figures in scoring. They got nothing from their bench players who just didn’t show up, especially the usually reliable Naz Reid who finished with just five points on two of nine shooting.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won each of their last 11 home openers against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Pacers have lost seven of their last eight road games against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the Timberwolves’ last eight games.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Pacers have won each of their last four games as road underdogs following a road loss.
- The Timberwolves have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight road games against the Timberwolves following a loss.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games when playing with a rest advantage.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Pacers’ last 12 games as road underdogs following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Timberwolves’ last five home openers have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Timberwolves rank T1st in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (83.0).
- The Timberwolves rank 30th in the league for Q4 points per game this season (23.0).
- The Pacers rank 30th in the league for opponent points per game this season (134.5).
- The Pacers rank 30th in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (54.5).
Timberwolves vs Pacers Prediction
The Pacers are still missing a bunch of players with TJ McConnell, Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard and Johnny Furphy all ruled out again. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are keeping an eye on Rob Dillingham, who is listed as questionable for this one. This was always going to be a tough start to the season for the depleted Pacers. I don’t see things getting any easier anytime soon now that they are visiting the Timberwolves, who are coming into this one fresh off an ugly loss to the Lakers.
The line is a bit hefty for this matchup, but it’s hard to picture anything but a relatively comfortable win for the Timberwolves, who have all their key players healthy. Give me the Timberwolves to bounce back with a solid win and cover against this struggling Pacers squad.