The Timberwolves will look to pick up a win while covering the spread when they take on the Wizards in Washington at Verizon Center on Friday in NBA action.

Washington will face the 17-22 Timberwolves, who own a 18-20-1 ATS mark on the season. (Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news). In totals betting, the Wizards are 17-22-1 favoring the UNDER so far this season while the Timberwolves are 19-20 favoring the OVER.



View Minnesota vs Washington Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Oddsmakers at Sportsbook opened the Wizards as 5-point favorites in this matchup earlier today, while the OVER/UNDER line was sitting around 187 earlier at Sportsbook.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game pits the Wizards, currently No. 20 in the Odds Shark NBA Power Rankings, against the Timberwolves, who rate No. 12 in the most recent survey. Meanwhile, math and computer handicapping models run on this game predict a 93-89 victory for the Timberwolves.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Washington's No. 30-ranked offense (90.9 PPG) against a Timberwolves defense that ranks No. 11 at 96.3 PPG. The Wizards have averaged 41.7% from the field per game, less than the Timberwolves have managed so far this season (43% on average).

Defensively, the Timberwolves feature the league's No. 18-rated defense on the road, giving up 99.4 points per game. Washington, meanwhile, comes in at No. 24 in the league in scoring at home.

In their last action, Minnesota was a 91-83 loser at home against the Nets. They failed to cover the 5.5-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (174) was profitable news for UNDER bettors. Minnesota got 15 points from Andrei Kirilenko but lost anyway 91-83 against the Nets on Wednesday at Target Center.

The Wizards were a 92-88 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Jazz. They covered the 7-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (180) made winners of UNDER bettors. Washington got 15 points from Martell Webster but lost anyway 92-88 against the Jazz on Wednesday at EnergySolutions Arena.


Minnesota Timberwolves Trends:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Charlotte are 1-9
After playing Brooklyn are 3-7
After a loss are 4-6

Washington Wizards Trends:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Chicago are 5-5
After playing Utah are 0-10
After a loss are 4-6

A few Timberwolves at Wizards trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games
Minnesota is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Washington
Minnesota is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Washington
Washington is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home


Next up:
Minnesota at Charlotte, Saturday, January 26
Washington home to Chicago, Saturday, January 26