The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Charlotte Hornets collide at the Spectrum Center on Saturday night. Here's our Timberwolves vs Hornets prediction.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been in red-hot form as they've won 13 of their last 15 games overall and they will be gunning for a fourth straight victory after taking down the lowly Jazz in a 101-90 home win on Thursday. Karl-Anthony Towns led the team with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists on 12 of 22 shooting, Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 20 points with seven assists and five steals while Rudy Gobert tallied 15 points with 13 rebounds and three blocks. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 43 percent from the field and 13 of 35 from the 3-point line as they traded with the Jazz in a tightly contested first half, before they dominated the third quarter by 35-19 to pull ahead by 20 points and make it look easy in the end.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Karl-Anthony Towns is one of only two qualified players in the league shooting at least 50% from the field, 40% from three, and 90% from the free-throw line this season.
- Mike Conley ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (6.8) this season.
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Charlotte Hornets
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets are starting to heat up now as they've won three of their past five games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after sneaking past the Nets in a 129-128 road win on Thursday. Terry Rozier led the team with 37 points and 13 assists on 13 of 25 shooting, Miles Bridges added 23 points on nine of 15 shooting while Gordon Hayward tallied 22 points with six rebounds and six assists. As a team, the Hornets shot 50 percent from the field and a sizzling 21 of 36 from the 3-point line as they kept pace with the Nets in a free-flowing game until they kept the Nets to just 22 points in the fourth quarter to steal the win in the end.
Charlotte Hornets Player Facts
- Miles Bridges is one of only 54 players in the league shooting at least 45% from three this season.
- Terry Rozier ranks 21st amongst qualified Guards for FG% (47.3%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Hornets have missed the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons - the longest active streak in the NBA
- The Hornets rank 30th in the league for H1 win percentage this season (17.6%).
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (105.3).
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (42.7%).
Timberwolves vs Hornets Prediction
The Timberwolves could be shorthanded once again with Anthony Edwards listed as doubtful, while the Hornets are still missing LaMelo Ball. The Hornets are starting to win some games despite playing without Ball, but the Timberwolves have been one of the hottest teams in the league for a while now and I think they get the job done, even though Edwards will be sitting this one out.
AUTHOR: Peter Tran
