Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans Betting Prediction 02/08/19

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The Minnesota Timberwolves (25-29) will travel to the Smoothie King Center to challenge the New Orleans Pelicans (24-31). The game starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, February 8, 2019, and will air on ESPN.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans ATS Odds

The Pelicans defeated the Chicago Bulls in their last contest, 125-120, covering as 1.5-point favorites. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, were beat by the Orlando Magic, 122-112, and were unable to cover as 4-point underdogs. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The New Orleans game went 18.5 points over the projected point total of 226.5, while the Minnesota game finished 27.5 points over the projected point total of 206.5.

New Orleans dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 34.1 (above their season average of 24.3) and a free throw rate of 0.235 (above their season average of 0.211). Chicago was 22.0 and 0.154, respectively, for those same stats. Minnesota, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.0 (above their season average of 25.5). New Orleans’ Jrue Holiday had a solid performance, contributing 18 points, 11 assists and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns fueled Minnesota with 27 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

In three contests against each other this season, the Timberwolves have won two. In their most recent game, the two teams combined for 216 points, well under the projected point total of 237.5. Minnesota won 110-106, covering as a 1.5-point underdog. Minnesota won the rebounding battle. The Timberwolves had 15 offensive rebounds and 50 total rebounds, while the Pelicans had 10 and 48, respectively. Towns put up a double-double in the victory with 27 points and 27 rebounds.

Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Timberwolves games, with 27 overs compared to 26 unders. Minnesota holds records of 25-29 straight up (SU) and 26-27 against the spread (ATS).

Coinciding with Minnesota, just over half of Pelicans games have finished over the O/U total. Further, New Orleans owns records of 24-31 SU and 27-27-1 ATS.

The high-powered offense of New Orleans will square off against the mid-tier defense of Minnesota. The Pelicans currently rank eighth in offensive efficiency, while the Timberwolves are 18th in defensive efficiency. The Pelicans should have the edge on that side of the ball. Moreover, the Timberwolves rank third in turnover percentage (12.3 percent), while the Pelicans rank 27th in opponents’ turnover percentage (12.1 percent).

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick

Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Timberwolves rank 15th in fast break points per game (12.5) while the Pelicans rank 22nd in fast break points allowed per game (14.6).
  • New Orleans ranks third in second chance points per game (14.8). Minnesota ranks 26th in second chance points allowed per game (14.3).
  • The Pelicans average 26.8 assists per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Timberwolves rank 24th in assists allowed per game (25.6).
  • New Orleans ranks first in points in the paint per game (58.2) while Minnesota ranks 14th (48.1).
  • Minnesota averages 17.6 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 22nd in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.4).
  • The Timberwolves rank first in steals allowed per game (6.4) while the Pelicans rank 23rd (8.3).
  • The Pelicans rank sixth in rebounds per game (46.9) while the Timberwolves rank 19th in rebounds allowed per game (45.2).
  • Minnesota ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (32.8) while New Orleans ranks 28th (33.6).
  • New Orleans averages 5.6 blocks per game, which ranks sixth in the league. Minnesota ranks 26th in blocks allowed per game (5.6).
  • In games where they allow under 100 points, Minnesota is 10-0 and New Orleans is 5-1.
  • The Pelicans are 24-27 when they reach 100 points, while the Timberwolves are 24-23.
  • Minnesota is 12-14 ATS on the road, while New Orleans is 13-12 ATS at home.
  • The Timberwolves have 14 unders and 12 overs in 26 road games.
  • The Pelicans have 13 unders, 11 overs and 1 push in 25 home games.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Minnesota and New Orleans have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • The Pelicans are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Timberwolves are 1-4.
  • During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 112.0 points per game (4.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.6 points per game (2.3 below their season average).
  • The Timberwolves’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.0, up from 0.1 for the season.