Timberwolves vs Pelicans Prediction & Best Bets

Minnesota is on the road playing New Orleans at the Smoothie King Center stadium on Wednesday, 1/25/2023 @ 8:00pm EST. New Orleans -3.5 was the opening favorite and current line is New Orleans -2.

Minnesota Team Statistics

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a record of 24-25 heading into this game. The team coughs up possession 15.8 times per contest and commits 22.1 fouls per game. As a team, Minnesota pulls in 41.0 rebounds per game and has 1,235 assists for the year, which is 9th in the league. As a team, the Timberwolves are shooting 35.4% from 3-point range (569 of 1,608) and 78.0% from the free throw line. The team averages 115.3 points per game (11th in the NBA) while shooting 49.2% from the field.

As a team, the Timberwolves force 16.2 turnovers per contest and draw 20.2 fouls. With 1,262 assists surrendered on the season, they rank 28th in the NBA. As a team, the Timberwolves surrender a 46.8% field goal percentage (2,031 of 4,341) and 44.4 rebounds per game. As far as points allowed per game goes, they rank 20th in the NBA with 115.6 points allowed per game.

With a power ranking of 23, Minnesota is ranked #11 in offense (scoring an average of 115.31 per game), #20 in defense (allowing an average of 115.56 points to be scored against them per game) and are 24-25 (22-27 ATS) this season.

New Orleans Team Statistics

This season, New Orleans is 26-21. The Pelicans commit 20.5 fouls per game and shoot 77.7% from the free throw line. The team earns assists 26 times per game (9th in the NBA) and turns the ball over 15.3 times a game. As a team, New Orleans has scored 5,452 points (116.0 points per game) and pulled in 44.5 rebounds per game. The Pelicans are ranked 10th in the league when it comes to executing on offense, hitting 48.0% from the field.

With 113.4 PPG surrendered, the Pelicans rank 16th in the league in defensive efficiency. They force 15.7 turnovers per game and allow teams to shoot 47.3% from the floor (16th in the NBA). New Orleans gives up 34.1% on long-range shots (579 of 1,698), and their opponents are hitting 78.4% of their free throws. On a nightly basis, they give up 25.2 assists and 42.0 rebounds, ranking 13th and sixth respectively.

New Orleans Pelicans has a power ranking of 6 and are #9 for offense (scoring an average of 116.00 per game), #16 for defense (giving up an average of 115.56 points per game) and 26-21 (23-24 ATS) overall. Minnesota went 2-1 (1-2 ATS) in their last 3 matchups against New Orleans.

Curated Picks & Predictions

• Based on the current lines, Oddsmakers predict the score to be MIN 117.75, NOP 113.75.
• 53% of SportsJaw players predict New Orleans Pelicans to cover.
• OddsShark has not made their prediction yet.
• 71% picked New Orleans Pelicans on Covers.com
• SportsJaw's ScoreCaster prediction: Timberwolves 107 to Pelicans 114.

Staff Prediction

The Timberwolves come into this matchup having won 2 of their last 3 games. They lost last time out, however, and were led by Anthony Edwards who scored 31 points. The Pelicans come into this matchup on a 5-game losing streak. New Orleans struggles began with the injuries to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. The Pelicans are struggling but I expect them to defend home court in this one. Take New Orleans to win and cover the 2 points. 

Staff Pick NOP ATS (-2)

Written by SportsJaw Staff
Categorized as NBA Predictions