NBA Picks: Utah Jazz at Minnesota Timberwolves
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Minnesota Timberwolves will look to snap a six-game losing streak when they host the Utah Jazz tonight. Minnesota returns home from a miserable road trip, where they went 0-6, and really struggled on the defensive side of the ball. The Timberwolves most recent loss was a 113-90 loss at the Clippers, where they allowed a season-high 62 points in the paint. The Jazz have been up and down lately, but had no trouble beating the Cavaliers on Monday, as they won 101-90 for their second straight win.
Looking at the NBA spreads for tonight’s games, the oddsmakers seem to think Utah will have no trouble making it three straight, as the Jazz come in favored by 6-points over the Timberwolves at home.
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Utah went just 2-2 against the Timberwolves last season, but a big reason they had trouble against Minnesota is the reason they are off to their best start since the 2006-07 seasons. Last year Al Jefferson tormented the Jazz in their four game series, which is likely a big reason why the Jazz went out and added Jefferson this offseason after they lost Carlos Boozer. Jefferson is averaging 16 points, nearly 9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks a game with the Jazz this season, and will likely cause some problems for the Timberwolves tonight.
Utah is 9-4 on the road this season, and 8-2 in their last 10 away from home. A big reason the Jazz are off to such a great start this season has been the play of Deron Williams, who is averaging 22 points and nearly 10 assists a game this season. The Jazz are an impressive 19-2 this season when Williams has at least eight assists, and its hard to imagine he won’t reach that mark against a Timberwolves team that has allowed at least 100 points in 18 of their last 20 games.
Kevin Love continues to play outstanding basketball to start the season. Love is averaging 21 points and a league-best 15.5 rebounds a game. Love has recorded a double-double in 15 straight games, and leads the NBA with 24 on the season. No question the Jazz will have to make sure they put a body on this guy whenever they have a chance. On Saturday Love went off for 40 points and 17 rebounds against the Nuggets, and somehow the Timberwolves still loss the game.
Michael Beasely comes into the game averaging 21 points and six rebounds a game, but has remained a liability on defense. One player to keep an eye on is Martel Webster, who is averaging 15 points in his first five games of the season, after sitting out the first 24 games recovering from hip surgery. Webster is starting to see more and more minutes, and has been a nice spark off the bench for the Timberwolves.
I think your money has to be on the Jazz to cover the spread tonight, and I also think they have a very good shot at covering the spread. Minnesota is just 12-34 ATS in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons, while the Jazz are 9-4 ATS on the road.
For more help with who to take in the NBA this season, check out what our expert NBA handicappers have to offer in their daily NBA picks.
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