NBA Free Pick | Timberwolves at Magic

 

It’s another meaningless Sunday NBA game. Well, not exactly meaningless as the game will have an impact on the lottery situation for both teams. The game also has some meaning for bettors.

Minnesota and Orlando are two of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. That lack of defense is the theme for this free pick.

BETTING THE NBA RACE TO 20 POINTS

Game: Minnesota Timberwolves (20-46, 30-34-2 ATS) at Orlando Magic (21-45, 31-33-2 ATS)

When: 7:00 PM ET, Sunday, May 9, 2021

Where: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida

Current Line: OFF     Total: OFF

TV Coverage: FOX Sports Florida

Ain’t Got No D

If not for the Washington Wizards, the Timberwolves would rank dead last in points allowed per game. As it stands, Minnesota ranks 29th giving up 118.1 points per game to its opponents. 

In their past 15 games, the T-Wolves have given up point totals of 141, 145, 127, 130, 124, 120, 128, 140, and 139. One of the big reasons why Minnesota is so bad defensively is related to how it defends shooters. 

Top online sportsbooks know the Timberwolves rank 28th in opponent shooting percentage. Teams shoot a healthy 48.3 percent against Minnesota. In their past three games - in which Minnesota gave up 139, 140, and 114 points - the T-Wolves have allowed teams to shoot 53.6 percent.

We’re on a serious heater with our free pick here at Top Rank Sports Picks! Our last time out we liked the UNDER in our Nets at Heat free pick, go see for yourself. You’ll find links to our past picks as well.

The Fight For Mediocrity

Orlando isn’t much better. The Magic rank 18th in points allowed per game and they rank 22nd in opponent shooting percentage. Orlando allows teams to shoot 47.1 percent from the field.

Now, the two teams played each other back on January 20. When looking deeper into the NBA scores, you can see Orlando beat the T-Wolves in Minnesota 97-96. Obviously, the total went Under. The game total had been set at 220.

The thing to remember about that game is that it took place before the trade deadline. The Magic played that game in January with the likes of Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier, and Aaron Gordon. Those three combined for 65 of the Magic’s 97 points. All three are now playing for different teams in the NBA.

In addition to losing three of their best players, the Magic have had some injury/health concerns. Prior to a Friday game with Charlotte, the Magic had six key contributors listed as out. Whether or not any of the six returns is doubtful. 

Terrance Ross, who averages 15.6 points a game, is one of the six. Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr., James Ennis III, Michael Carter-Williams, and Chuma Okeke are the others. Of those six, Porter is the only one that is likely to return to the Magic’s lineup this season.

Take a look at our Knicks at Clippers free pick for Sunday.

Timberwolves at Magic Free Pick

When you are missing that many players and have no real incentive to win, it’s easy to just tank a game. Orlando isn’t very good on offense anyway. They are 29th in the league in scoring (104.1 ppg). 

Minnesota has no incentive either having been eliminated from playoff contention. The T-Wolves may push the pace a little in this game, but with an expected total in the 220s this game is headed toward the Under.

NBA Free Pick: UNDER down to 218