Minnesota plays better defense at home. If you discount its performance against Atlanta, Minnesota has allowed an average of 98.3 points during its last eight games at Target Center.

Expect the Timberwolves to pay more attention to defense now that Kevin Garnett has joined them. I see the Timberwolves slowing the pace down in this matchup after Flip Saunders played Andrew Wiggins 41 minutes, Ricky Rubio 41 minutes, Kevin Martin 41 minutes and Nikola Pekovic 34 minutes in a 113-102 loss to Houston this past Monday.

The Timberwolves have a history of slowing down the pace following an up-tempo game. The under has cashed 13 of the past 18 times after Minnesota scored 100 or more points in its previous game. The Timberwolves also are 5-0 to the under following a double-digit defeat.

The Wizards don't figure to push things either after a hard-fough game last night against Golden State. The Wizards have been without shooting guard Bradley Beal. His chief replacement - Garrett Temple - is more about defense than offense.

Note, too, that the under has cashed five of the last seven times Washington has played without rest.