Sacramento Kings vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Can Kings avenge their loss?

In this match-up, two teams that have struggled for more than a decade now will face off against each other. Here, Minnesota will host Sacramento in an inter-conference match-up. Both teams have a losing record and are yet to figure out their identity this season. For quick notes, simply head over to “Expert Betting Tips”.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Losses are a template

A poor record so far

Timberwolves have won a paltry four out of 13 games and this looks like another long season for the Timberwolves fans, something that they are used to by now. The team scores around 103.9 points per game, which places them in the bottom ten, while the squad gives away around 108 PPG, indicating that the defense doesn’t make up for the offensive deficiencies. The Timberwolves look out of sorts against strong squads and have once again depended on a few players

Lack of depth

The offense largely hovers around Anthony Edwards, Karl Anthony-Towns, and De’Angelo Russell. Apart from these three, the rest of the players can’t muster up many points and the offense is heavily iso-centric. The team shoots 41% from the field, which is the fourth-worst metric in the league and it is clear that Minnesota poses little to no threat from both ends of the floor many times. Rebounding is another bothersome area for the Wolves, where the team is outhustled by around 5 rebounds every game, giving away 50+ rebounds on average every game, which is the worst number in the league.

Sacramento Kings: A struggling defense

The offense isn’t bad at all

Kings are top-five in points per game, scoring around 111. Harrison Barnes is leading the way with around 21 points per game while five players are averaging at least 13.4 PPG. Unlike Minnesota, Sacramento has multiple offensive weapons. It is the defensive end where the team has struggled and has squandered 110.7 PPG, which makes them sixth-worst.

A great young core

The guard-heavy Kings have four stellar perimeter players in Buddy Hield, De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, and Davion Mitchell. Mitchell is largely the defensive man for the team but can still do other things from the floor. Harrison Barnes has been terrific while Richuan Holmes has been having another great season. The team is young and perhaps will take a short-term beating to develop long-term.

Active Key Players

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Points Leaders: Karl Anthony-Towns: 23.2, Anthony Edwards: 22.9, D’Angelo Russell: 17.8
• Rebounds Leaders: Karl Anthony-Towns: 9.6, Anthony Edwards: 6.8, Jarred Vanderbilt: 5.9
• Assists Leaders: D’Angelo Russell: 5.5, Patrick Beverley: 4.5, Anthony Edwards: 3.5

Sacramento Kings

• Points Leaders: Harrison Barnes: 20.9, De’Aaron Fox: 19.8, Buddy Hield: 17.1
• Rebounds Leaders: Richuan Holmes: 10.9, Harrison Barnes: 8.1, Chimezie Metu: 5.4
• Assists Leaders: De’Aaron Fox: 6.3, Tyrese Haliburton: 5.6, Davion Mitchell: 3.9.

Expert Betting tips

It is clear that the Kings have more depth than the Timberwolves on the offensive end. While Minnesota has proven to be a better perimeter defensive team, Sacramento has many weapons to dispose of on the offensive end. We give the Kings an edge in this match-up but honestly, both teams struggle big time.

Here are some quick notes:

• The Kings have lost 4 of their last 5 games;
• The Timberwolves have struggled on both ends of the floor;
• After a 48 point outburst, Anthony Edwards has scored just 9 points in two of the last three games;
• Buddy Hield is averaging 17.4 PPG off the bench for the Kings;
• Kings have one of the worst defenses in the league, giving away around 111 points on average per game;
• The Kings are top-three in terms of offense, Timberwolves are in the bottom of the stack;
• Marvin Bagley and Sacramento Kings are not getting along and the player isn’t figuring in regular rotations;
• No injury has been reported for the Kings so far;
• Naz Reid and Josh Okogie are questionable for the Timberwolves;
• Do check injury reports prior to the game.

Betting Options

• W2 for 2.21;
• Away Team Total Points: Over (110.5) for 1.95;
• Player Assists: De’Aaron Fox Over 5.5.