NBA New Orleans Pelicans vs Minnesota Timberwolves Spread and Prediction

In this high caliber all-Western showdown, the 4^th and the 7^th best teams of the conference are clashing, when the Minnesota Timberwolves (33-22), are hosting the New Orleans Pelicans (28-23), with both teams coming off single victories and want to continue on the winning ways for a better playoff placement.

Date/Time:  02-03-2018, 21:00 EDT

Spread: Minnesota Timberwolves -8.5

Total: +221

Timberwolves have a 33-22 record (27-26-2 against the spread) so far this season and currently sit on the 4^th place of the West. In their last game they snapped a two-game losing streak by winning at home against the Bucks with a 108-89 score, beating the odds. They are led in scoring by Jimmy Butler with 21.8 ppg, adding 5.4 rpg and 5 assists but he is questionable for tonight. He is followed by Karl-Anthony Towns with 19.8 ppg and a team high 12.1 rebounds per game, while Andrew Wiggins adds 18.1 ppg.

Top Basketball Bookmakers

Pelicans have a 28-23 record (26-24-1 against the spread) so far this season and currently sit on the 7^th place of the West. In their last game they snapped a two-game losing streak by winning on the road against the Thunder with a 114-100 score, not beating the odds. They are led in scoring by Anthony Davis with 26.4 ppg, adding 10.6 rebounds per game. He is followed by DeMarcus Cousins with 25.2 ppg, 5.2 assists and a team high 12.9 rebounds per game but he will miss the rest of the season.

Timberwolves have won all three previous meetings against the Pelicans so far this season (twice on the road and once at home). Wolves are 21-6 at home so far this season, while Pelicans are 14-12 on the road. Pelicans are better offensively, scoring 110.8 ppg to Wolves’ 108.9, while Wolves are better defensively, allowing 105.7 ppg to Pelicans’ 110.5 ppg. Pelicans have better percentages both in field goals, shooting with a second-best 48.63% to Wolves’ 47.74% and in 3-pointers, shooting with a 36.77% to Wolves’ 35.1%. Pelicans are also better in rebounding, grabbing 43 to Wolves’ 41.6 and in assists made, with a second-best 26.5 to Wolves’ 22.7, while Wolves are better in turnovers committed (13.2 to 15.9). Wolves have found Pelicans’ button this season and tonight their job will be even easier without Cousins. Vegas odds give Wolves a -8.5 spread which they are expected to beat easily.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves -8.5 (-109)