The Washington Wizards are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA, giving up 104.6 points per game. Playing hosts to the Minnesota Timberwolves, which averages 108.5 PPG or 3rd in the league, the Wizards need to play better defense if they want to protect their home floor.

With a mix of reliable veterans and up-and-comers, the Wizards were pegged as one of the teams which will improve this season. The opposite is happening in the first nine games of the regular season as they have lost seven of nine games to start the year.

The Wizards have lost four in a row, including a disappointing 103-96 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last outing.

Meanwhile, Minnesota appears to be on the right track. Not only they are tops in the league in scoring, but they also take care of the glass (45.6 rebounds per game – 5th in the league) and share the ball (24.6 assists per game – 5th) consistently.

The Wolves have won four of their last six games and are 7-4 overall-- the last time Minnesota had a winning season was in 2004-2005 regular season when they finished 44-38.

The Wolves-Wizards match-up will feature the battle of fast-rising point guards in the league.

Washington’s lead guard John Wall, who has averages of 16.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 9.1 APG and 1.7 SPG, will face off with Minnesota’s court general Ricky Rubio, who has logged in 8.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 9.6 APG and 3.1 SPG. The assist numbers rank 3rd and 2nd in the league, respectively.

The Wiz’s defense will concentrate on big man Kevin Love, who is third in the league in scoring (26.8 PPG) and second in rebounding (13.6 RPG).

Betting Against the Spread (ATS)
 Betting Line: Minnesota Timberwolves (-3.5) vs. Washington Wizards (O/U: 205.5)

Minnesota Timberwolves Trends
 - Timberwolves are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games on the road
- Timberwolves are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. East teams
- Timberwolves are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games

Washington Wizards Trends
 - Wizards are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games vs. Northwest division teams
- Wizards are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games after a loss
- Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games at home

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Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves 101, Washington Wizards 98. Wall wins heads-up with Rubio but Love rules all.