The Pelicans host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. The Pelicans are favored at the Smoothie King Center, as Willie Green’s team won 14 games in front of their home crowd and lost only four games.
The Timberwolves have won seven away from home, but have also lost ten away games. For this reason, the betting odds between the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves also diverge significantly.
The current form is also in favour of the hosts. The Pelicans have won three games in a row, while the visitors from Minnesota have lost three in a row. With the Timberwolves missing one of their best players in Towns, it’s no surprise that odds for a home win between the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves are very slim
Since Towns’ injury, Jaden McDaniels has played an important role. The power forward scored less than twelve points only once in the last six games. Behind Edwards and Russell he is the player with the most throws. For this reason, we recommend betting on McDaniels to score over 11.5 points between the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves.
New Orleans Pelicans – Statistics & current form
New Orleans are in second place in the Western Conference and are perhaps the surprise team of the season so far. Willie Green’s side are currently on 21 wins and only twelve defeats. The Pelicans finished the pre-season in ninth place, then survived the play-in tournament and entered the NBA playoffs. However, they were eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Suns. Nevertheless, the team seems to be developing steadily and, especially with Zion Williamson, the chances of making the playoffs again are good.
Zion Williamson wants to make the playoffs with the Pelicans
The New Orleans power forward is back. Williamson missed the entire 2021-22 season due to injury and as a result has never made the playoffs in his career. In the preseason, the Pelicans made it to the NBA playoffs without their superstar, so New Orleans is absolutely a force to be reckoned with this season. Zion is the team’s top scorer with 25.2 points and shines especially with his play under the basket. He is also averaging 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 baskets.
One of the best offenses in the NBA
The Pelicans are averaging 117.8 points, which ranks them second in the league. And Willie Green’s team is also very far ahead in the rebounding and assists categories. Defensively, the hosts defend very well and allow only 112.4 points per game. This puts New Orleans in 13th place in the National Basketball Association. Their biggest weakness is the perimeter, as their best shooter CJ McCollum is only 35th in three-pointers.
Injured List:
Brandon Ingram – Out
E.J. Liddle – Out
Herbert Jones – Game Time Decision
Zion Williamson – Game Time Decision (likely to play)
Trey Murphy – Game Time Decision (likely to play)
Dyson Daniels – Game Time Decision (likely to play)
Starting Five of the New Orleans Pelicans:
PF: Zion Williamson – SG: Trey Murphy – SG: CJ McCollum – SF: Herbert Jones – C: Jonas Valanciunas
Minnesota Timberwolves – Statistics & current form
Minnesota is currently in eleventh place in the Western Conference. Chris Finch’s team has won 16 games and lost 18. The Timberwolves were also in the play-in tournament last season and qualified for the NBA playoffs. But Minnesota also lost in the first round against the Memphis Grizzlies. This season, most experts don’t necessarily expect the Timberwolves to make the playoffs.
Anthony Edwards in duty
Due to the injury to Karl-Anthony Towns, the shooting guard is even more in demand than he already is. With 23.4 points he is the top scorer in the team and could also improve year after year. He also helped his team with 6.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He is clearly the pillar of the team, but without Towns he rarely manages to decide a game “on his own”. He is known for his jumping power and his dunks, but still has problems when it comes to the right mentality.
The Timberwolves’ lack of stability
Minnesota is allowing an average of 115.6 points, ranking 21st in the NBA. Chris Finch’s team has been good on the offensive end so far, but just not strong enough to make up for the lack of stability. The Timberwolves are averaging 114.6 points per game, which ranks them twelfth in the league. Due to the injury of Karl-Anthony Towns, both areas are now weakened, because the centre not only throws 20 points on average, but also grabs 12 rebounds per game. His absence is therefore difficult to compensate for.
Injured List:
Karl-Anthony Towns – Out
Taurean Prince – Out
Jordan McLaughlin – Out
Kyle Anderson – Game Time Decision
Starting Five of the Minnesota Timberwolves:
SG: Anthony Edwards – PF: Jaden McDaniels – PG: D’Angelo Russell – SG: Austin Rivers – C: Rudy Gobert
New Orleans Pelicans – Minnesota Timberwolves Head-to-head comparison / H2H record
The direct comparison between the two teams goes narrowly to the Pelicans. New Orleans won 36 games and lost 33 times. So neither team has a clear advantage. The last meeting was almost a year ago and went 128-125 to the Pelicans. At that time, however, both sides were missing a number of players who will be in action on the coming night. In the upcoming encounter we see the hosts ahead and therefore between the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves our forecast also points to a home win.
New Orleans Pelicans – Minnesota Timberwolves Tip
Looking at the odds before the clash between the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves, the host is the clear favourite. After our intensive analysis, we agree with the bookmakers, because there is virtually nothing to be said for a win for the visitors. The Pelicans have the fans behind them, are strong at home and are also in good form. Minnesota, on the other hand, has lost three in a row and had to give everything for four quarters against Miami. New Orleans already led by 28 points after three quarters against Indiana and could thus spare the starting five a little bit.
The Pelicans have one of the best offences in the league and face a rather weak defence. But Minnesota also has quality on offence and score an average of 115 points per game. We therefore play another tip between the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves. Betano offers us good odds for more than 228.5 points.
