Minnesota Timberwolves vs Sacramento Kings Picks and Predictions November 27th 2024

Timberwolves vs Kings November 27th 2024

At 8:00 ET, the Timberwolves (-183) will host the Kings (+152) at the Target Center. Minnesota (-4.5) is currently 11th in the Western Conference and 3rd in the Northwest Division. Sacramento (8-10) is 12th in the West and 5th in the Pacific. The over/under line for this conference matchup is 222 points.

Minnesota (-183) is favored by 4.5 points over Sacramento (+152). The Timberwolves (8-9) have lost three straight games, while the Kings (8-10) have lost four in a row. NBCS will have coverage of this Western Conference showdown.

Kings vs. Timberwolves Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Sacramento Kings at Minnesota Timberwolves
• Where: Minneapolis at Target Center
• Date: Wednesday, November 27th
• Betting Odds MIN -4.5, SAC +152 | MIN -183 O/U 222

The Kings Can Win If…

After a 130-109 loss to the Thunder on Monday, the Kings are now 8-10 this season. Sacramento, playing at home, entered the game as +3.5 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 239, surpassing the over/under line of 224.5 by 14.5 points.

The game was tight early on, with the Kings trailing by just one point after the 1st quarter and tying the 2nd quarter 32-32. However, the Thunder pulled away in the 3rd, outscoring Sacramento 34-22, and continued their dominance in the 4th, winning that quarter 33-25.

DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 30 points and 6 assists, shooting 61.9% from the field in their loss to the Thunder. Domantas Sabonis added 21 points and 10 rebounds, hitting 63.6% of his shots.

Sacramento struggled from beyond the arc, making just 8 threes at a 25% clip, though they shot 48.3% overall. Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox, and Keegan Murray each contributed 14 points, with Monk hitting 2 threes despite shooting 28.6% from deep.

The Kings struggled defensively against the Thunder, giving up 130 points while allowing Oklahoma City to shoot 55% from the field. Sacramento allowed at least 31 points in every quarter, including 34 in the 3rd.

From beyond the arc, the Thunder hit 14 threes at a 45% clip. The Kings also sent Oklahoma City to the line 25 times, where they made 20 free throws. Sacramento recorded 10 steals and 4 blocks in the game.

• In their last ten games away from home, the Kings have a straight up record of 4-6 while going 4-6 vs. the spread. The team averaged 111 points per game in this stretch.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Kings have a straight up record of 1-4 and an ATS mark of 1-4.
• Over their last five games, the Kings have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 0-5 vs. the spread.

The Timberwolves Can Win If…

After a 117-111 loss to the Rockets on Tuesday, the Timberwolves are now 8-9 for the season. Minnesota, favored by 3 points at home, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game exceeded the 219.5 O/U line by 8.5 points.

A key moment came when the Timberwolves went on an 11-0 run, turning a 32-25 deficit into a 36-32 lead. However, they fell behind again, trailing 84-78 going into the 4th quarter. Despite holding the Rockets to 18 points in the final period, Minnesota couldn’t complete the comeback, scoring only 24 points themselves.

In their 117-111 loss to the Rockets, the Timberwolves struggled offensively, shooting just 42.9% from the field and hitting only 9 threes at a 23.7% clip. Anthony Edwards led the way with 29 points and 10 rebounds, though he shot just 36.4% from the floor and 25% from deep.

Julius Randle contributed 21 points, while Naz Reid added 19, hitting 3 threes at 42.9%. Edwards scored 10 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters, while Rob Dillingham added 7 of his 12 points in the 4th.

Despite a strong defensive effort in the 4th quarter, where the Timberwolves held the Rockets to just 18 points, Minnesota couldn’t avoid a 117-111 loss. The Timberwolves gave up 32 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd and 3rd, allowing 25 and 27 points, respectively.

Minnesota held Houston to 45% shooting but struggled to contain the Rockets from deep, as they hit 15 threes at a 40% clip. The Timberwolves sent Houston to the line just 13 times, where they made 12 free throws. Defensively, Minnesota recorded 6 steals and 4 blocks.

• In their last three home games, Minnesota has averaged 113 points per game while allowing 114. The team’s record in this stretch was 1-2 while going 2-1.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, Minnesota has an ATS mark of 4-6 while going 5-5 straight up.
• In their last five games, the Timberwolves have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Lean

The Timberwolves is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 138-103. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Timberwolves at -4.5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 222, and our model predicts the Kings and Timberwolves to score a combined 241 points. We recommend betting on the over.

NBA Picks & Predictions

Kings, Wolves Clash to End Frustrating Losing Streaks

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings are both desperate for a win as they prepare to face off on Wednesday night in Minneapolis. With both teams struggling to find their rhythm early in the season, the matchup offers a critical opportunity for one side to regain momentum.

Timberwolves Seek Rebound After Narrow Losses

Minnesota enters the game on a three-game losing streak, including a tough 117-111 overtime defeat against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night. Despite Anthony Edwards’ stellar 29-point performance, including a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, the Timberwolves faltered in overtime, being outscored 15-9.

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was candid about the team’s shortcomings, especially in the first half of the Rockets game.

“I didn’t really like our effort and energy in the first half,” Finch admitted. “We found it in the second half, but we kept giving it back … trying to do too much by ourselves with the ball offensively.”

The absence of veteran point guard Mike Conley due to a toe injury has added to the Timberwolves’ challenges. However, rookie Rob Dillingham has stepped up admirably, scoring 12 points and dishing out seven assists in Tuesday’s game. Finch praised Dillingham’s speed and confidence, stating:

“He’s giving us a lot right now with his ability to get by people … He plays hard on defense.”

The Timberwolves, who reached the Western Conference finals last season, are now 8-9 through their first 17 games and will look to rediscover their winning formula on their home court.

Kings Struggle to Regain Their Groove

The Sacramento Kings, meanwhile, are in an even tougher spot, riding a four-game losing streak. Their most recent loss, a 130-109 drubbing by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, underscored the team’s defensive vulnerabilities.

Kings guard Malik Monk hinted at the team’s frustration, suggesting a players-only meeting might be in order.

“We’re going to say something,” Monk said. “I feel like we always say something after every loss, so … we’ll probably say something when we get to Minnesota.”

Despite the team’s struggles, individual performances have been promising. DeMar DeRozan has been a consistent scorer, dropping a team-high 30 points on 13-of-21 shooting against Oklahoma City. De’Aaron Fox, the Kings’ leading scorer this season, is averaging an impressive 28.1 points per game while shooting 50.4% from the field. Domantas Sabonis continues to dominate the boards with 12.9 rebounds per game while contributing 20 points per contest.

Head-to-Head: Timberwolves vs. Kings

This will be the third meeting between the teams this season, with the Timberwolves winning both previous encounters in close games. Minnesota edged Sacramento 117-115 on Oct. 24 and prevailed again in a thrilling 130-126 overtime win on Nov. 15, both games played in Sacramento.

The Kings will need to tighten up defensively and find a way to contain Anthony Edwards, who has been a thorn in their side this season. Edwards, who is averaging 28 points per game, has shown an ability to take over games with his scoring and relentless attack.

Keys to Victory

For the Timberwolves:

1. Energy from Tip-Off: Slow starts have hurt Minnesota, as highlighted by Finch’s critique of the team’s effort. A strong opening quarter will set the tone.
2. Balanced Offense: Edwards cannot do it alone. Secondary scorers like Karl-Anthony Towns and emerging contributors such as Dillingham must step up.
3. Defensive Discipline: Limiting Sacramento’s star duo of Fox and Sabonis will be crucial.

For the Kings:

1. Defensive Cohesion: Sacramento’s recent losses have exposed gaps in their defensive schemes, which must be addressed to avoid another high-scoring affair.
2. Leadership on the Court: DeRozan and Fox need to rally the team with efficient scoring and playmaking.
3. Three-Point Shooting: The Kings will need to improve from deep to stretch Minnesota’s defense and open driving lanes.

What’s at Stake?

Both teams are battling to reverse their poor starts to the 2024-25 season. A win could be pivotal in building confidence and gaining traction as the season progresses. For Minnesota, a victory would mean defending their home court and proving they can compete without Conley. For Sacramento, it’s about ending a frustrating skid and avoiding a third straight loss to the Timberwolves.

Players to Watch

• Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves): Minnesota’s offensive catalyst, averaging 28 points per game, is the player Sacramento must stop.
• De’Aaron Fox (Kings): Leading Sacramento in scoring, Fox’s ability to penetrate and finish will test Minnesota’s defense.
• Rob Dillingham (Timberwolves): The rookie has impressed in Conley’s absence and could be a game-changer off the bench.
• Domantas Sabonis (Kings): A double-double machine, Sabonis will need to dominate the boards and facilitate from the post.

Conclusion

As the Timberwolves and Kings take the court, the stakes are high for both teams looking to end their losing streaks. With star players like Edwards and Fox at the forefront, fans can expect a fiercely contested battle in Minneapolis. Will the Timberwolves capitalize on their home-court advantage, or will the Kings find a way to reverse their fortunes? All eyes will be on Target Center to find out.