Minnesota Timberwolves (12-8) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (3-18)
December 2, 2025 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans +9.5; Over/Under: 234.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Minnesota Timberwolves invade the Smoothie King Center to battle the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Here’s a Pelicans vs Timberwolves Prediction. This article will include a Pelicans vs Timberwolves Pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been in decent form as they’ve won four of their last seven games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after running past the Spurs in a 125-112 home win on Sunday. Anthony Edwards led the team with 32 points and six assists on 13 of 18 shooting, Julius Randle tallied 22 points with 12 assists on nine of 15 shooting while Donte DiVincenzo chipped in with 18 points and four assists. As a team, the Timberwolves shot a healthy 56 percent from the field and 17 of 37 from the 3-point line as they got off to a sloppy start. They allowed 37 points in the first quarter to trail for most of the contest before they dominated the fourth quarter by 36-19 to run past the Spurs with ease at home where they are now 7-3 on the season.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been ice-cold so far this season as they’ve lost 18 their first 21 games and they will be hoping to snap a three-game skid after getting routed by the Lakers in a 133-121 road defeat on Sunday. Bryce McGowens led the team with 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists on nine of 18 shooting, Saddiq Bey added 22 points with 11 rebounds on nine of 13 shooting while Jeremiah Fears chipped in with 21 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot 51 percent from the field and 13 of 26 from the 3-point line, which are impressive numbers. However, most of the game was played in garbage time after the Pelicans allowed the Lakers to explode for 46 points in the first quarter. The Pelicans trailed in this one by as many as 26 points before they finished with a flurry of points to keep the final margin respectable.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The home team has won each of the Timberwolves’ last seven games.
- The Timberwolves have lost three of their last five games as road favorites against Southwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last five games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as road favorites against Western Conference opponents.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 14 games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The favorites have won 18 of the Pelicans’ last 19 games at Smoothie King Center.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last four games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games as home underdogs following a road loss.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of the Timberwolves’ last 10 night games against Southwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Eight of the Pelicans’ last nine night games against Northwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Jeremiah Fears is one of only four players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.
- Derik Queen ranks 8th amongst qualified Centers for assists per game (3.4) this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (72.5%) this season.
- Mike Conley has recorded 10 games with 2+ assists and zero turnovers this season – most of any player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for assists per game this season (23.3).
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for blocks per game this season (3.5).
- The Timberwolves have used only three different starting fives this season – fewest in the league.
- The Timberwolves rank 3rd in the league for H2 win percentage this season (70.0%).
Pelicans vs Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves are coming into this contest with a healthy roster, while the Pelicans are still missing Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones, Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole and Trey Murphy III. The Timberwolves haven’t been at their absolute best lately, but they are fully healthy and they looked good in their big win over the Spurs on Sunday thanks to big games from Edwards and Randle. In contrast, the Pelicans have been in terrible shape with just three wins from their first 21 games and they just got smashed by the Lakers in a game where they trailed by 26 points. The line is a bit hefty, but I actually thought it would be double digits, so I will stick with the more reliable Timberwolves to build on their last win with a more comfortable win in this one.
