The New Orleans Pelicans travel to the Target Center to battle the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. Here’s a Timberwolves vs. Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Timberwolves vs. Pelicans Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans have been in a terrible slump as they’ve lost nine of their last 10 games overall and they will be hoping for a better effort after getting humbled by the Celtics in a 144-118 road defeat on Friday. Jeremiah Fears led the team with 36 points and six assists; Derik Queen added 25 points with 11 rebounds and four assists, while Jordan Hawkins chipped in with 20 points off the bench. As a team, the Pelicans shot 46 percent from the field and nine of 32 from the 3-point line, but they were porous on the defensive end and were always fighting a losing battle after allowing 82 points in the first half. The Pelicans trailed in this one by as many as 41 points before they finished with a flurry of points to bring some respectability to the final margin.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been in decent form as they’ve split their last 10 games overall but they will be feeling pretty good after outlasting the Rockets in a 136-132 road win on Friday. Terrence Shannon Jr. led the team with 23 points; Anthony Edwards added 22 points on seven of 14 shooting; Donte DiVincenzo scored 18 points, while Kyle Anderson chipped in with 17 points, six rebounds and nine assists. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 57 percent from the field and 15 of 30 from the 3-point line as they traded shots with the Rockets in a tightly contested game until midway through the fourth quarter, where they went on a decisive 12-2 run to pull ahead and escape with the narrow win.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last nine games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Timberwolves have won each of their last 11 Sunday night games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last nine Sunday night games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five road games.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Pelicans have won three of their last four games as road underdogs against the Timberwolves.
- The Timberwolves have lost four of their last five games following a win.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in 11 of their last 12 games as home favorites after winning as underdogs.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last five games against the Timberwolves following a loss.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Timberwolves’ last six home games against Southwest Division opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of the Pelicans’ last five games at Target Center have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Timberwolves have used only 13 different starting fives this season—the fewest in the league.
- The Timberwolves rank 2nd in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (4.1).
- The Pelicans have recorded the largest comeback win from an HT deficit this season—they trailed by 22 points vs. the Rockets on December 18.
- The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (12.7).
Timberwolves vs Pelicans Prediction
The Pelicans are still missing Dejounte Murray, Bryce McGowens, Yves Missi and Trey Murphy III, while the Timberwolves have ruled out Bones Hyland, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels. It’s hard to pick games between two teams missing so many key players, but the Timberwolves are still the better team and I think they get the job done at home in a close one against a stumbling Pelicans outfit.