NBA picks: Timberwolves vs. Kings prediction, odds, over/under, spread, injury report for Saturday, Dec. 23

This year’s surprise team in the Western Conference will face last year’s surprise team in the Western Conference when the Minnesota Timberwolves (21-6) meet the Sacramento Kings (17-10). Both squads are coming off wins in their last game and have been good of late, with Minnesota going 8-2 in the last 10 and Sacramento going 7-3 in the same stretch. These teams met earlier, with the Kings handing the Timberwolves their lone home loss this season in a 124-111 game.

Karl-Anthony Towns is out for the Timberwolves with knee soreness. The Kings are on the second night of a back-to-back set after defeating the Suns Friday and won’t release an official injury report until later in the day.

The Kings are 3-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total sitting at 233. Sacramento is -155 on the moneyline while Minnesota is +130.

Timberwolves vs. Kings, 10 p.m. ET

Pick ATS: Kings -3

The Timberwolves haven’t been a bad road team this season, but they’re 6-8 ATS as opposed to 8-3-2 ATS as the home side. The Kings have started to turn things around at home, going 4-1 in this five-game homestand so far. Sacramento is 8-7 ATS as the home team, covering in three of the last five games. The Kings have also been the only team this season to beat Minnesota at home.

With Towns sidelined, I like Sacramento to keep its high-powered offense rolling at home and grab a key victory over the team with the best record in the West.

Over/Under: Over 233

Both teams are 15-12 to the over this season. Minnesota’s defense takes a decent hit on the road, dipping in defensive rating from 100.8 to 114. Sacramento’s offensive rating is 120.3 at home as opposed to 111.6 on the road. Effectively, the Kings are going to be in a position of strength here while the Timberwolves are going to have to make a big climb. I like the over to hit in this one, even with Towns out for Minnesota.