The T-wolves head to Salt Lake City to take on the Jazz on Friday night. The NBA betting board has Utah as a dwindling -2.5 home fav, with the total line set at 236.5.
Notable Injuries
Timberwolves
- Karl-Anthony Towns (Out) Calf
- Taurean Prince (Out) Shoulder
Jazz
- Mike Conley (Questionable) Leg
- Lauri Markkanen (Questionable) Illness
- Collin Sexton (Out) Hamstring
- Johnny Juzang (Out) Wrist
- Simone Fontecchio (Questionable) Ankle
Recent Form
Heading into the game, Minnesota is 12-12 overall. When taking to the road, Minnesota has a mark of 5-5 and a win percentage of 50.0%. Currently, the team is 11th in the Western Conference. So far, they are 9-15-0 vs. the spread. When looking at how the team has performed of late straight and vs. the spread, they are 2-3 in their past five games and 2-3 ATS. Over their past ten games, they are 6-4 SU and 4-6 ATS.
In their last game, Minnesota defeated the Pacers (121-115) as 3-point favorites. D’Angelo Russell led the team with 28 points on 50.0% shooting. The Timberwolves also covered the spread with the victory.
Heading into the game, Utah is 15-12 overall. When playing at home, Utah has a mark of 9-4 and a win percentage of 69%. Currently, the team is 6th in the Western Conference. So far, they are 14-11-2 vs. the spread. In Utah’s last five games, the Jazz have a straight-up record of 3-2 while going 2-3 in those games. Going back to the last 10, they are 4-6 and 4-6 ATS.
Most recently, the Jazz took down the Warriors by a score of 124-123. Jordan Clarkson finished with 22 points, which was most on the team. In terms of betting, Utah did not cover the spread as 5-point favorites.
The Historicals
In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Jazz picked up the 132-126 win over the Timberwolves. Heading into the game, Utah was the 8.0-point underdogs, giving them an ATS win. This is the only time these two teams faced each other this season. In the past, Minnesota has gone 3-2 against the spread in their last five matchups. However, the Jazz has actually outscored the Timberwolves by an average of 8 points per game in these matchups. The teams have combined to score an average of 240 points per game in these games, resulting in a 5-0 record for the over-under.
Analysis
This season, Minnesota is among the league leaders in scoring, averaging 115.2 points per game. So far, the Timberwolves are also one of the more up-tempo teams in the league, sitting at 102.5 possessions per game. Minnesota’s 3-point shooting numbers are below the league average, as they have hit just 32.7% of their looks from deep. On average, the team gets up 33.5 3-point shots per game, placing them 14th in the NBA. Defense has been a struggle for Minnesota, as they are currently just 113.3 in points per game allowed. However, even with their overall struggles, the team has done a good job defending the 3-point line. So far, opposing teams have hit just 34.89% of their looks from deep.
Heading into today’s game, Minnesota will be needing a strong offensive effort from Anthony Edwards and the team’s supporting cast, as Karl-Anthony Towns won’t be available vs. Utah. So far, Towns is averaging 20.8 points per game. Edwards leads the Timberwolves at 23.1 points per contest.
This season, Utah is among the league leaders in scoring, averaging 117.9 points per game. So far, the Jazz is also one of the more up-tempo teams in the league, sitting at 100.5 possessions per game. Utah’s offensive attack has benefited from some hot shooting from outside. Not only are they among the league leaders in 3-pointers attempted per game, but they are 7th in 3-point shooting percentage at 37.5%. Defensively, the Jazz have been one of the best units in the NBA, allowing just 107.57 points per game. So far, they have allowed a 3-point shooting percentage of 35.09%, placing them 15th in the NBA.
Heading into the game, Lauri Markkanen is listed as questionable on the injury report. This season, he leads the team with a per-game scoring average of 22.2. Currently, Jordan Clarkson is 2nd on the team in scoring at 19.8 points per game.
- Get more details: Minnesota at Utah 12/9/22 Betting Stats
Betting Trends
- Timberwolves are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning straight-up record.
- Timberwolves are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games, playing on one day of rest.
- Jazz are 7-3 ATS in their last ten games following a straight-up win.
- Jazz are 10-22-1 ATS in their last 33 Friday games.
