The Minnesota Timberwolves (20-22) will be 2-point favorites at home in the Target Center when they clash against the New Orleans Pelicans (20-22). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 234 points and it will air on Fox Sports – North at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 12, 2019.
New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Odds
The Pelicans were victorious over the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last matchup, 140-124, covering as 14.5-point favorites. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks, 119-115, and were not able to cover as 8.5-point underdogs. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The New Orleans game finished 39 points over the projected point total of 225, while the Minnesota game went 5 points over the projected point total of 229.
New Orleans dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a ridiculous offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (above their season average of 25.6) and a free throw rate of 0.429 (above their season average of 0.215). For those same stats, Cleveland had marks of 21.4 and 0.295, respectively. Minnesota, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.7 (above their season average of 24.6). Minnesota was lifted by Karl-Anthony Towns, who had 30 points and 11 rebounds. Anthony Davis, meanwhile fueled New Orleans with 38 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.
The Pelicans evened the season series at one with a 123-114 win in their most recent matchup. Julius Randle recorded a double-double with 33 points and 10 rebounds. New Orleans’ effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Minnesota. The Pelicans had a rate of 0.598 while the Timberwolves posted a mark of 0.511. The two teams combined to put up 237 points, which was over the projected point total of 223.5.
A little over half of the Pelicans’ games have finished over the projected point total. New Orleans heads into the game with records of 20-22 straight up (SU) and 19-23 against the spread (ATS).
Timberwolves games also have gone over the projected point total 51.2 percent of the time. Further, Minnesota owns records of 20-22 SU and 22-19 ATS.
Towns and Andrew Wiggins have played well over the last five games for Minnesota. Towns has averaged 27 points,14.2 rebounds,3.8 assists,2.2 blocks, while Wiggins has recorded 27 points,3.2 assists a game during that span.
Minnesota could put on a ball-control clinic in this matchup. Minnesota ranks third in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.3 percent), while New Orleans forces the seventh-fewest turnovers (12.7 percent). Also, the Pelicans could control the offensive glass in this battle as they rank fourth in the league in offensive rebounding percentage at 25.7 percent. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, rank 28th at grabbing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 74.3 percent.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Pelicans average 14.4 fast break points per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. The Timberwolves rank 19th in fast break points allowed per game (14.5).
- Minnesota ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.4) while New Orleans ranks 24th (8.6).
- The Timberwolves rank fifth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.1) while the Pelicans rank 20th (17.5).
- New Orleans averages 46.8 rebounds per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. Minnesota ranks 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (45.8).
- New Orleans ranks first in points in the paint per game (57.8) while Minnesota ranks 12th (49.2).
- The Pelicans rank fourth in assists per game (27.0) while the Timberwolves rank 25th in assists allowed per game (25.6).
- The Timberwolves rank fifth in blocks per game (5.7) while the Pelicans rank 18th in blocks allowed per game (5.3).
- Minnesota ranks 23rd in three pointers attempted per game (28.4) while New Orleans ranks 25th in three pointers allowed per game (33.0).
- New Orleans ranks third in second chance points per game (15.3) while Minnesota ranks 21st in second chance points allowed per game (14.2).
- New Orleans is 4-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Minnesota is 8-0.
- When scoring more than 100 points, the Pelicans are 20-20 and the Timberwolves are 20-16.
- New Orleans is 8-13 ATS on the road, while Minnesota is 13-7 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 11 of the Timberwolves’ 20 home games, while 12 of the Pelicans’ 21 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, New Orleans and Minnesota have both had 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Pelicans are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Timberwolves are 3-2.
- During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 126.2 points per game (9.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.4 points per game (3.4 below their season average).
- The Timberwolves’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.8, up from 0.5 for the season.
