NBA Predictions: Will Towns, Timberwolves hold off 76ers? 12/12/17

76ers vs. Timberwolves Pick

Are the host Minnesota Timberwolves going to send the Philadelphia 76ers to a fifth straight loss tonight at 9:30PM ET?

According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Timberwolves are listed as a 4.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 215 points.

Philadelphia comes in with a 13-13 record and 15-10-1 ATS after a 131-124 loss at the Pelicans, its fourth straight loss. Minnesota is 16-11 overall and 11-14-2 ATS following a 97-92 home win over the Mavericks. The two meetings were split 1-1 straight up and 1-1 ATS in two meetings last season. The under went 2-0.

The 76ers were led by JJ Redick with 28 points, four assists and three rebounds in the loss at New Orleans. Ben Simmons tallied 27 points, 10 assists and five rebounds. Amir Johnson accounted for 16 points, five rebounds and four assists. Trevor Booker added 16 points and nine boards off the bench. Joel Embiid was a late scratch with a back injury. Philadelphia was outscored 44-29 in the fourth quarter.

Minnesota was paced by Karl-Anthony Towns with 28 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals in the win over Dallas. Jimmy Butler had 22 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jamal Crawford added 16 points off the bench. The T-Wolves outscored the Mavs 50-44 in the second half.

Philadelphia is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings. The under is 6-2-1 in the last nine meetings. 

Bet on 76ers vs. Timberwolves

Embiid will be a game-time decision, so check on his availability as he'll be sorely needed to end the losing skid and match up with Towns. This looks like a good matchup for Minnesota on paper, with Wiggins and/or Butler providing a reasonable defensive matchup for Simmons, while the absence of the injured Robert Covington hurts Philly on both ends of the floor. If Embiid is out, this becomes an even stronger play. I still like the Timberwolves regardless. 

 

NBA DAILY PREDICTION: MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES -4.5