Minnesota at Milwaukee
Time: 8:30 PM ET, Dec 28, 2013
Spread: MIN -7.5
Total: 203
Betting Odds courtesy of Bovada
The Minnesota TImberwolves are under .500 at 14-15 but find itself heavy favorites against a pitiful Milwaukee Bucks team that is currently 6-23. NBA oddsmakers at Bovada set the line 7.5-points in favor of the visiting Timberwolves, who have the league’s third-highest scoring offense (106.1 points per game).
The Wolves are a tough team in a tough conference, and Kevin Love and company should have an easy time disposing of a Bucks team that has seemingly lost its identity following the departure of both Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis over the summer.
The Bucks have been fairly disappointed with free agent acquisition O.J. Mayo, who is averaging just 13.9 points per game. Brandon Knight, who was acquired in exchange for Jennings, has a fraction of his talent and is posting a PER below the league average (14.4 for Knight).
John Henson has looked nice for the Bucks, but one good rotation big isn’t enough and potential defensive player of the year Larry Sanders has played just four games this season. The Bucks are going to have to get a lot more from Ersan Ilysasova and Mayo to have any chance at salvaging its season.
Kevin Love is still making a strong case that he is the best power forward in the NBA with averages of 25.9 points and 13.8 rebounds per game. Kevin Martin still can score with the best at his posit band averages 19.9 on the season. Nikola Pekovic is very good offensively and averages 17 & 9 while Corey Brewer is greatly improved since his first tenure in Minnesota.
The small forward from Florida is best known for his defense, but he is the fourth TImberwolf averaging double figures with 12 points per game. Brewer is second on the team in steals with 1.6 per game (Ricky Rubio averages 2.7 per game).
MIN Trends: UNDER 4-0-1 in last 5 vs teams with losing SU records; 0-5 ATS in last 5 on 0 days rest; UNDER 4-0 in last 4 following SU win of more than 10 points.
MIL Trends: OVER 6-0 in last 6 following SU loss; OVER 7-0 in last 7 overall; OVER 6-0 in last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in previous game.
Head-to-head: Timberwolves 5-0 ATS in last 5 meetings; UNDER 4-0-1 in last 5 meetings; Timberwolves 5-1 ATS in last 6 meetings in Milwaukee.
