Atlanta Hawks at Minnesota Timberwolves Pick

The Minnesota Timberwolves (15-34) will host the Atlanta Hawks (13-38) at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a Western Conference versus Eastern Conference collision. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM EST and will be broadcasted on FSN. The Timberwolves won the first meeting of the season between both sides when they traveled to the ATL in November and handed the Hawks a 125-113 loss to cover easily as a 4.5-point favorite.

Atlanta Hawks at Minnesota Timberwolves Key Injury Concerns

Hawks Small Forward Cam Reddish will be unavailable for this game as he recovers from a concussion and nose contusion. This will be the second game that the Hawks will not have Reddish available.

Atlanta Hawks at Minnesota Timberwolves Overview

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks step into this tilt on a two-game losing streak where they failed to cover in either of these defeats. Most recently, the Hawks welcomed the visiting Boston Celtics to the ATL on Monday, where they would fall 123-115. Atlanta failed to come in under the number as a 6.5-point underdog.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota steps into this contest ice-cold as they have failed to win a game in its last twelve attempts. Moreover, Minnesota is just 1-9 ATS in its previous ten outings. Most recently, the Wolves hosted the Sacramento Kings on Monday and fell 113-109 despite closing as a one-point favorite.

Reasons To Avoid Atlanta

On the road this year, Atlanta is the worst team in the NBA as they have won just five games (5-21 SU overall), and they operate at an average margin of -14.3 outside of the Peach City. By virtue of these details alone, I will be hard-pressed to get on-board with the Hawks here against a Minnesota team that is very much desperate for a win. The Timberwolves will see this as a true opportunity to get off the snide.

Reasons To Back Minnesota

Minnesota owns some key advantages that will put them in a position to dominate this game. To begin, Minnesota generates a ninth-ranked 46.0 rebounds per contest and have a tasty match-up against a Hawks team that sits 27th in the NBA in rebounds against (47.0 boards per game). On the flip-side, Atlanta averages just 42.9 rebounds per game (24th in the NBA). Combining this with an edge in turnovers and bench play, the Timberwolves can impose their will on Atlanta by outmuscling them on the glass and taking advantage of the Hawks’ mistakes. Furthermore, Minnesota did beat Atlanta by double digits when these two sides met earlier this season, which gives them an emotional edge, as well.