Minnesota Timberwolves vs Utah Jazz Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 30/11/2023, 05:30  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 30/11/2023 at 05:30 in NBA Predictions

On Thursday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves will host the Utah Jazz in a Western Conference matchup at the Target Center. The hosts boast an impressive 13-4 record and currently hold the top spot in the Western Conference standings, while the visitors at 6-12 are in 12th place. In a hard-fought battle, the Timberwolves prevailed at home, claiming a 106-103 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder last night. Despite conceding 20 turnovers, the Timberwolves managed to dominate the rebounding aspect of the game. Anthony Edwards led the team in scoring with 21 points, and both Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert recorded double-doubles. Heading into this one,  Minnesota carry an average of 112.9 points per game, ranking them 18th in the league. They have also struggled to secure offensive rebounds, and their turnover rate of 15.5 per game ranks them 25th in the league. However, defensively, the Timberwolves have been formidable, allowing only 106.2 points per game, placing them at an impressive 2nd rank in the NBA.

Meanwhile, Utah Jazz come into this one off the back of their third consecutive away loss, beaten 105-91 by the Grizzlies last night. John Collins led the Jazz in scoring, contributing 17 points to the team's overall performance. They faced notable difficulties on the offensive front, though, struggling early and putting up just 42 points in the first half. Despite shooting 41% from long range, Utah allowed Memphis to connect on nearly 50% of their overall shots from the floor. The Jazz also average 112.9 points per contest, placing them 17th in the league, but the strength of their offense lies in their ball distribution, with three players providing over four assists per game. As a team, they sit 3rd in assist rate. Defensively, the Utah Jazz are allowing an average of 119.7 points per game, leaving them in a lowly 25th place in the league. Closing possessions will be crucial for the Jazz here, especially considering their challenges in forcing turnovers and generating points in transition.