Miami Heat vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 18/12/2023, 07:30  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 18/12/2023 at 07:35 in NBA Predictions

The Miami Heat play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Kaseya Center on Monday night. The hosts are 15-11 and fifth in the Eastern Conference, while the visitors are 19-5 and lead the Western Conference. 

The Timberwolves secured a victory against the Pacers with a final score of 127-109 in their last match, with Karl-Anthony Towns' impressive season-high performance of 40 points. Over the past five games, only the Pelicans have managed to surpass 110 points against Minnesota. This season, the Timberwolves boast a stellar defensive record, allowing an average of 105.8 points per game, marking the second-best scoring defense in the NBA. Their defensive strength extends to the top 10 rankings in defensive free throw rate and defensive rebounding percentage, making it challenging for even the most explosive teams to score against them. On the offensive end, the Timberwolves average 113.6 points per game, surpassing the Heat's defensive average of 112 points given up. Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards are uncertain for the upcoming game, adding some uncertainty to the Timberwolves' lineup.

Meanwhile, in a rematch against the Bulls, the Heat emerged victorious with a final score of 118-116. Jimmy Butler led the team with a notable 28 points. The big story here is that the Heat could see a significant boost in the upcoming match, as their top scorer, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro are expected to make a return after periods on the sidelines. The Heat rank ninth in shooting percentage and turnover percentage. Notably, they lead the league in three-point shooting, boasting an impressive 39.1% accuracy from beyond the arc. Defensively, Miami holds a solid 10th position in the league, allowing an average of 112 points per game. While the return of Adebayo and Herro is anticipated, Kyle Lowry (soreness) and Dru Smith (knee) have been ruled out for the upcoming match.