Timberwolves-Pelicans prediction, pick, how to watch
The Minnesota Timberwolves will travel to face the New Orleans Pelicans in an NBA game on Wednesday night at the Smoothie King Center. That said, now is a great time to check out our NBA odds series, which includes a Timberwolves-Pelicans prediction and pick, featured below.
Minnesota recently improved with a 24-25 record this season, ninth place in the Western Conference. Minnesota saw its two-game winning streak snapped last time out. Head coach Chris Finch guided the team to the playoffs last season, but will need a turnaround to make it two straight seasons.
New Orleans fell back to earth with a 26-22 record, fourth in the Western Conference. The Pelicans surprised and made the playoffs last season, losing in six games to the Phoenix Suns. New Orleans has been struggling a bit lately, dropping five in a row after reaching third place.
Here are the Timberwolves-Pelicans NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel
NBA Odds: Timberwolves-Pelicans Odds
Minnesota Timberwolves: +3 (-110)
New Orleans Pelicans: -3 (-110)
Over: 229 (-110)
Minus: 229 (-110)
How to watch the Timberwolves vs. the Pelicans
Television: Bally Sports North, Bally Sports New Orleans
Streams: NBA, NBA League Pass
Time: 8:10 p.m. ET / 5:10 p.m. PT
*Watch LIVE NBA games with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Why the Timberwolves could cover the spread
While it hasn’t been smooth sailing so far for this Timberwolves team, there is still a cargo in place. It’s just a matter of everything fitting together and coming together. Third-year guard Anthony Edwards, a former first overall pick, leads the team with 24.3 points and 1.8 steals per game. Karl-Anthony Towns again played for Minnesota, ranking second with 20.8 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game. Towns has been out since late November but should be back in about a week or so. Rudy Gobert stepped up in his absence, leading the team with 11.6 rebounds, also averaging 13.3 points per game, Minnesota’s only double-double. D’Angelo Russell is averaging 17.6 points and 6.3 assists per game, leading the team.
Minnesota ranks fourth in the league with a 49.2 shooting percentage from the field. With 115.3 points per game, Minnesota’s offense ranks 11th in the league. The defense has been a little tough for Minnesota, despite adding Gobert. Opponents have scored 115.6 points per game over the Timberwolves, who rank 20th in the league. On the plus side, Minnesota held opponents to a 46.8 shooting percentage, which ranks them ninth in the league.
Why pelicans might cover the spread
Zion Williamson shows up and leads the team with 26.0 points on 60.8 percent shooting. Williamson also grabbed 7.0 rebounds per game, which is second on the team. Here’s the bad news, Williamson is out until the end of the month. CJ McCollum leads the team with 5.7 assists and ranks second with 21.1 points per game. McCollum is shooting 38.4 percent from behind the three-point line. Jonas Valanciunas leads the team with 9.9 rebounds and ranks fourth with 14.8 ppg, just missing out on a double-double. Trey Murphy III’s production increased with his use, averaging 12.7 points per game.
New Orleans has recorded an impressive 8.6 steals per game, which is second in the league, while Minnesota turns the ball over 15.8 times per game. New Orleans ranks 15th with 35.9 percent shooting from behind the three-point line and put up a ton of points. The Pelicans rank ninth in the league with averaging 115.6 points per game. New Orleans’ defense was solid, ranking 15th with 113.1 points allowed per game.
Prediction and choice of the Timberwolves-Pelicans final
Injuries to both teams take away the shine from this game. The New Orleans slippage will continue in this one.
Final Timberwolves-Pelicans prediction and selection: Minnesota +3 (-110), over 229 (-110)