Jason Storm
Free Picks Newsletter Lead Researcher

156-103-1 Overall Record
Pro Basketball Predictions: Minnesota Timberwolves (-5.5) vs. Charlotte Bobcats. (+5.5) Over-Under 199.5

Minnesota is playing on back to back nights coming off a loss to a underrated Memphis team. You are probably focusing on the fact its a back to back situation for the Timberwolves. They aren’t bad in this situation, 9-7 against the spread. However, more important is the way this team rebounds playing after a straight up loss. Minnesota is 6-1 in that situation. They should improve that given who they are playing this time around.

Charlotte is has just 7 wins in 47 games. That’s just a 15% of their games that they have won outright. It’s not much better even against the spread. Charlotte is just 17-30 against the spread and are 0-4 in their last 4 games ATS.

They are by far the worst team in the NBA, and that’s not a bold statement. Not only are they young and completely inexperienced, they have no star. Kemba Walker leads team in points scored, but its only 12 points a game. That should be your 3rd best scorer, those are role player numbers. Kemba is just a rookie, and he isn’t capable of carrying this team. He has hasn’t even had a 20+ point since February 21st. That’s 18 straight games with the teams leading scorer on the team failing to least 20 points. That is unacceptable.

Charlotte struggles offensively. In fact, they are the worst scoring team in the entire association. Charlotte only averages 87.6 points a game. That is atrocious. The problem is everything. They are the worst shooting team. They are the worst 3 point team. They are in the bottom 3rd in even in free throw percentage.

So when their leading scorer, Kemba Walker only shoots 36.6% from the floor, and 30% from 3, it makes sense why this team is bad. What makes them awful, one of the worst, is their defense that is ranked 27th of 30. That allows 100 ppg, meaning they lose by an average of 13 points per game. That’s the greatest margin in the NBA.

So again, I state that the Charlotte Bobcats are the NBA Worst. I know this game is in Charlotte, but the difference on the road and Charlotte means they just lose by an average of 10 ppg instead of 13. There is no home court advantage.

Minnesota will have the advantage because they have Kevin Love. Love is having an MVP caliber season. He scores 26.3 points per game, more than double Bobcats best. He is not going to have any trouble scoring. There is no one to defend him.

Last time these two teams played, Love scored 30 points, shooting 50% from the field and pulling down 18 rebounds.

The Timberwolves won that game by 12. It was a blowout, the Bobcats were out shot, out rebounded, and turned it over more. I expect this 6 point spread to be an easy cover for a team that has the best player on the court against the worst team in the NBA.

Pick Minnesota -5.5