Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and predictions

Nathan Beighle | Staff Writer

The New Orleans Pelicans (6-6) welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves (8-3) to Smoothie King Center Saturday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET. Let's analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Timberwolves vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Timberwolves lead 1-0.

The Pelicans beat the Denver Nuggets 115-110 Friday in the in-season tournament, covering as a 4.5-point home underdog. They are 6-5-1 ATS on the season and 4-3 ATS at home. New Orleans is 6-6 O/U. It lost to the Wolves 122-101 Nov. 8, the teams' lone matchup of the season. Minnesota covered as a 9.5-point home favorite.

The Timberwolves lost to the Phoenix Suns 133-115 Wednesday and failed to cover as a 4-point road underdog. This game will end their 4-game road trip. Minnesota was 1-3 against the spread (ATS) yet 3-1 over that span. It is 6-5 ATS and 6-5 O/U on the season. The Wolves are led by G Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 26.3 points per game this season.

Timberwolves at Pelicans odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:15 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Timberwolves -225 (bet $225 to win $100) | Pelicans +190 (bet $100 to win $190)
Against the spread (ATS): Timberwolves -6 (-112) | Pelicans +6 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 220.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Timberwolves at Pelicans key injuries

Timberwolves

G Jordan McLaughlin (knee) out

Pelicans

G CJ McCollum (chest) out
F Larry Nance Jr. (ribs) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Timberwolves at Pelicans picks and predictions

Prediction

Timberwolves 113, Pelicans 110

Moneyline

PASS.

Minnesota destroyed New Orleans in its first matchup of the season, and that left little doubt which is the better side. Given that outcome, avoid the Pelicans at +190 despite the enticing odds.

Against the spread

BET PELICANS +6 (-108).

The Pelicans should have the length in G Herb Jones to limit what the high-flying Edwards can do. New Orleans has ample scoring weapons and has won 2 in a row. It is 2-1 ATS over its last 3 games, all at home. It has been hot and getting solid play from star F Zion Williamson.

The Pels are 4-3 ATS at home this season and have tallied at least 115 points in 3 straight games. The Wolves lost by 18 in their last outing and are just 1-3 ATS over their last 4 games. Expect New Orleans to be better than it was in its first matchup. Take the home underdog on the spread.

Back PELICANS +6 (-108).

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 220.5 (-110).

The Wolves are 6-5 O/U this season, but they are 5-1 O/U over their last 6 games, allowing 110 or more in 3 of their last 4. They have scored 115 or more in 4 of their last 5. Their pace has clearly picked up over the last 2 weeks.

New Orleans is 4-2 O/U over its last 6 games and has allowed 110 or more in 3 straight games, having scored 110 or more in all 3 as well. Expect both sides to score enough to help this total. Given the recent trends, back OVER 220.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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