When: Wednesday, December 20th, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: Wells Fargo Center, PA, Philadelphia

TV: NBCS

Point Spread: Min +3/Phi -3

Total: 226.5

Money Line: Minnesota Timberwolves +127/-152

Notable Injuries

Timberwolves

• Jaylen Clark (Out) Achilles

76ers

• Nicolas Batum (Out) Hamstring
• Marcus Morris Sr. (Questionable) Illness
• Robert Covington (Questionable) Illness

Recent Form

With a record of 20-5, the Timberwolves are above .500 and are in 1st place in the Western Conference and the Northwest division. As they prepare to face the 76ers, the Timberwolves are looking to add to their above .500 record.

Coming into today’s matchup vs. the Timberwolves, the 76ers are above .500 at 18-8. This season, the 76ers are 8-4 on the road compared to 10-4 at home.

The Historicals

In terms of betting, Philadelphia has an ATS record of 3-2 in the previous five matchups vs Minnesota. This mark has come on an average scoring margin of +7 points per game in favor of the 76ers. The over-under record in these same games is 3-2, with the teams combining for an average of 223 points per game.

Analysis

In their most recent game, the Timberwolves’ offense tallied 112 points, consistent with their ongoing season average of 113.5 points per game. Currently leading the team in scoring is Karl-Anthony Towns, who comes into today’s matchup averaging 22.2. Anthony Edwards also heads into the game with a PPG average of 24.6. In the current season, the Timberwolves defense has excelled, sitting 1 in the NBA by allowing 105.9 points per game.

When it comes to defending inside the arc, the Timberwolves squad is permitting opposing teams to shoot at a clip of 49.7% inside the arc, and they’re also giving up 33.7% from downtown.

Coming off their recent game, the 76ers’ offense tallied 104 points in a matchup against the Bulls. Their field goal percentage for the game was 43.2%, and they made 11 threes. Currently leading the team in scoring is Joel Embiid, who comes into today’s matchup averaging 34.4. Tyrese Maxey also heads into the game with a PPG average of 25.8. Coming into the game, the 76ers’ defense has held opposing teams to fewer points than the league average in 42.3% of their games. Currently, they are 7 in the NBA at 110.9 points per game allowed.

When it comes to forced turnovers, the 76ers are forcing 12.3 per game, which is 6th in the league. They also come into the game sitting 7th in blocked shots at 6.2 per game.

Betting Trends

• Across their last three road contests, Minnesota has been good against the spread, posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 2-1 while averaging 112 points per game.
• In their last ten games at home, the 76ers have a straight-up record of 7-3 while going 7-3 vs. the spread. The team averaged 121 points per game in this stretch.
• Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Timberwolves have a straight-up record of 4-6. But their mark vs the spread was just 5-5.
• The 76ers have played well in their last three games as the betting favorite, going 2-1 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

In one of the premier matchups of the day, the Timberwolves will be looking to extend their 3-game lead in the Western Conference but have a tough task against a Sixers squad that has won seven of their last ten games and are favored by three. I see Joel Embidd being able to force Rudy Gobert to defend on the perimeter more than he’s used to, and he could end up getting the Minnesota big man in foul trouble. I like Philadelphia at -3.