Minnesota Looks to Make Indiana’s Road to the Playoffs Harder

An inter-conference showdown highlights the Tuesday NBA calendar when the Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Indiana Pacers. The current line has Indiana favored by 4.5 points with the over/under point total on 208.

Entering this game, Minnesota on the season is 28-44 straight up and 33-39 against the spread. On the road, the Timberwolves are 10-25 SU and 14-21 ATS. Indiana on the season is 37-36 SU and 33-29-1 ATS. At home, the Pacers are 26-11 SU and 20-16-1 ATS.

Indiana is attempting to hang on to one of the eight playoff spots in the East, while Minnesota is in turmoil. Indiana defeated Philadelphia 107-94 on Sunday, but now plays four games over the next six days.

The Pacers are currently fifth in the conference, but leads ninth place by just 2 ½ games. Pacers forward Paul George is averaging 28.3 points per game in his past three games. However, the Pacers lost two of the three and seven of their 13 games thus far in March.

Indiana has won 6 of the past 8 games head to head with Minnesota, including a 6-point win January 26 at Minnesota paced by the 32 points of George.

Minnesota has lost six straight games giving them no chance of reaching the playoffs. During the losing streak, the Timberwolves are allowing 117.5 points a game.

Minnesota’s top scorer Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 24.5 points per game, but scored just 16 on Saturday in a 12-point loss to Portland. Minnesota was close to 50% shooting from the field, but allowed Portland to shoot 62.5% including 50% from beyond the 3-point line.

Andrew Wiggins, who on the season is averaging 23.1 points per game, has averaged 25.8 over the past five.

Myles Turner the starting center for Indiana scored just 7 points in a loss last week to Boston, but scored 17 on Sunday while grabbing 16 rebounds.

Indiana point guard Rodney Stuckey remains day to day with a leg injury. Forward Glenn Robinson III is questionable, while center Al Jefferson is out.

Indiana’s Turner is third in the NBA in blocked shots per game at 2.11.

Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its past 5 games versus opponents from the East.

Indiana is 5-1 ATS in its past 6 games against opponents from the West.

Prediction: Minnesota has played poorly of late, but will come out strong and try to prevent Indiana from maintaining its spot in the playoffs. Lean here toward the Timberwolves.