Free NBA Pick: Timberwolves vs. Heat NBA Odds
Looking for Minnesota Timberwolves free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Timberwolves taking on the Heat on Monday, December 26th, 2021 at FTX Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Timberwolves-Heat matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(16-17) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Miami Heat (16-17)
Date: Monday, December 26th
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: FTX Arena, Miami, Florida
NBA Moneyline Odds: Timberwolves +150 | Heat -170 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Heat -4
NBA Betting Total: 113.5
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Monday, December 26th, finds the Minnesota Timberwolves facing the Miami Heat for the second and final time this season. The Wolves won the initial meeting 105-101 on November 21st.
Both teams last played Friday with the Wolves falling 109-121 to the Celtics while the Heat lost 108-111 to the Pacers.
Last season the clubs played twice with the Wolves winning both contests. The Heat holds the all-time record with 34 wins in 65 matches versus the Timberwolves.
*Editor’s Note: Statistics and rankings are current as of this writing, and may vary slightly entering games on Monday, December 26th
Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards is averaging 23.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. AntMan is shooting 45.8 percent on 18.3 attempted field goals, 35.9 percent on 7.0 deep balls, and 75.6 percent from the charity stripe on 5.2 free throws.
The quandary for Chris Finch, however, is the Wolves and Edwards in particular are performing better when their big offseason asset Rudy Gobert is off the court.
Edwards has been outspoken about the spacing issues with Gobert. Diving deeper, the Wolves allow 5.4 fewer points with the defensive specialist on the floor versus when he sits. BUT… the offense is 9.4 points better with him OFF the court.
That’s a net differential of negative 3.8, In contrast, the Wolves are a plus 10.7 points offensively with Edwards on court, and although opponents score 6.4 additional points with him on the floor he still has a positive (+4.3) net differential, unlike Gobert.
Minnesota hasn’t hit their stride defensively which is reflected in the stats with opponents scoring 115.7 (22nd) while shooting 45.9% (7th) and 37.1% from deep (26th).
Offensively, the Wolves score 114.8 points per game (11th), while shooting 49.0% from the field (3rd) and 34.1% from the perimeter (24th).
Kyle Anderson (back) and Jordan McLaughlin (calf) are questionable. Taurean Prince (shoulder) is out. Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) who’ll be out until mid-January.
Miami Heat
Although it seemed like the Heat were beginning to find their groove winning 9 of 13, they’ve lost two consecutive games against teams they theorthetically should’ve beat.
The Pacers now sit a game ahead of Miami by virtue of that win and the Bulls are now only 1.5 games back of the Heat because of their win.
Offensively, the Heat score 108.0 points per game (29th rank) shooting 45.1% from the field (26th) and 34.4% from the perimeter (21st).
Defensively, the Heat allow opponents to score 109.2 points per game ranking fourth. Miami opponents shoot 47.3% from the field and 36.0% from the perimeter ranking 19th and 17th respectively.
Jimmy Butler (ankle) left the last game and is questionable for Monday as is Dewayne Dedmon (foot). Omer Yurtseven (ankle surgery) is out.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Wolves are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games against Miami.
- The Heat are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
- The Wolves are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on the road.
- The Heat are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games at home
Free Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Miami Heat NBA Prediction:
Both teams expected to be sitting much higher in the standings and each has been hampered by injuries and chemistry issues this season.
The biggest difference is the Heat core is connected and there is chemistry on and off the floor but they can’t seem to all stay healthy — especially the core.
Towns is out for the Wolves but even before his injury the new Big 3 weren’t clicking.
It’s setting up a very awkward situation for Minny because Edwards seems primed to take over (or he will be shortly, if not quite yet) and he sure doesn’t seem fond of his supporting cast, or rather the two big men in his supporting cast.
The situation will only get more intense if the Wolves fail to make the postseason after giving away so much to get Gobert.
As for this game, with the Heat vets getting plenty of rest, I like them to win and cover.
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