Minnesota Timberwolves vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 12/04/2024, 05:08  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 12/04/2024 at 12:00 in NBA Prediction

The Atlanta Hawks will travel to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center on Friday night in the NBA. The hosts are 36-44 and tenth in the Eastern Conference while the visitors are 55-25 and second in the Western Conference.

The Hawks have secured a spot in the play-in round and are poised to finish as the final team within the cut, with only two games remaining in the regular season. Their recent match ended in a disappointing 115-114 home loss to the Charlotte Hornets, marked by Trent Forrest's missed last-second jumper, costing the Hawks a chance to close in on the 9th-seeded Chicago Bulls. Atlanta ranks sixth in scoring in the NBA, averaging 118.5 points per game, while the Minnesota Timberwolves boast the league's top defensive ranking, allowing just 106.3 points per game. However, the Hawks have heavily relied on their offensive firepower, given their defensive struggles; they currently rank fourth from the bottom, conceding an average of 120.2 points per game. Over their last three games, this number has increased to 124.7 points per game. The return of Trae Young provided a significant boost for the Hawks in their previous outing. However, there are uncertainties surrounding the availability of Dejounte Murray, De’Andre Hunter, and Jalen Johnson for the upcoming match.

The Timberwolves suffered a setback in their quest for the top spot in the Conference after a 116-107 defeat to the Nuggets on Wednesday. This loss allowed Denver to take a one-game lead over both Minnesota and Oklahoma City. Of greater concern for the Timberwolves was the ease with which Denver's Nikola Jokic scored 41 points against them. Currently sitting at the 18th spot in the NBA's scoring charts, the Timberwolves average 113.1 points per game. On the defensive end, the Hawks rank 27th in the league, allowing 120.2 points per game. Despite this, the Timberwolves boast the best defense in the association, conceding just 106.3 points per game. The Timberwolves excel defensively, particularly at home, where they allow 6.2 fewer points compared to away games. With the playoff race intensifying, this upcoming match is crucial for Minnesota to maintain pressure on the teams around them. However, they will be without the services of Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaylen Clark due to injury.