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The Minnesota Timberwolves head to the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Close Losses
If the Minnesota Timberwolves wish to return to the playoffs from the second straight season, they must be able to finish strong and close out games. The T-Wolves have lost four out of five including their last two. Those four losses have come via a combined 21 points with three losses decided by four points or less. One of the reasons could be their lack of execution especially with their three point guards on the injured list.
The Wolves are ranked 17th in the league in team scoring at 111.3 points per game. They are also 15th in passing at 24.4 assists per game and 18th off the glass with 45.0 rebounds per contest. Minnesota is allowing 111.2 points per game, giving them the 17th ranked scoring defense in the entire NBA.
Timberwolves
+185
Pelicans
-255
Odds from Bet365 as of 2/08/19
Davis Remains A Pelican
The biggest question heading to the 2019 trade deadline on Thursday afternoon was where would Anthony Davis end up at 3:01 p.m. Well, the deadline came and passed. Anthony Davis remains as a Pelican. But as to what role he will play from Friday until the end of the regular season, it remains to be seen.
The Pelicans are 3rd in the league in team scoring at 116.2 points per game and are ranked 4th in passing with 26.8 assists per outing. New Orleans is 6th in rebounding at 46.9 boards per contest and they are also ranked 26th in scoring defense at 114.9 points per game allowed.
Who Wins?
Minnesota is 4-6 SU in its last 10 games played. The Wolves are 2-3 SU in their last five road games. New Orleans is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games overall and the Pelicans are 0-4 SU in their last four home games. Head to head, the Wolves are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games against the Pelicans.
For New Orleans, it’s unsure what happens to Anthony Davis. But Nikola Mirotic has been traded and the Pelicans have new players in Stanley Johnson and Markieff Morris. The new players are listed as day to day as of Friday morning. New Orleans is also without E’Twaun Moore and Elfrid Payton who are both injured.
There are uncertainties in New Orleans given the Anthony Davis situation. But the one thing certain is that Minnesota is struggling without its point guards and they are also a terrible 8-18 SU on the road this season. The Pelicans are 15-10 SU at the Smoothie King Center and still have Holiday and Randle to lead them. Sure, they won’t be with their new players for this game but with Minnesota’s injuries, I think the home team still gets this win.
I’m picking the New Orleans Pelicans to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves on 2/8/19.
Other Bets To Make
The Timberwolves are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games played and they are 3-2 ATS in their last five road games. The Pelicans are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. New Orleans is 2-2 ATS in their last five games played. Head to head, the Timberwolves are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 encounters with the Pelicans.
Timberwolves
+5 (-110)
Pelicans
-5 (-110)
Odds from Bet365 as of 2/08/19
Minnesota is 0-4 in their last four games against the Western Conference. They are also 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall. New Orleans is 5-1 ATS in their last six games against the Western Conference and they are also 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall. I think home court will be a big factor given the players from both sides who won’t be playing.
Prediction: Pelicans
Both these teams have seen the total hit the under in half of their last 10 games played. The under is 5-2 in Minnesota’s last seven games overall while the under is 3-1 in the last four home games of the Pelicans. Two out of their last three head to head meetings have also seen the total go under.
Timberwolves
O 233.5 (1.9)
Pelicans
U 233.5 (1.9)
Odds from Bet365 as of 2/08/19
This one’s a tough call really because on the side of Minnesota, Derrick Rose’s status is day-to-day while they are missing key players due to injury. On the side of New Orleans, we don’t know who’s getting the minutes given the trades and the Anthony Davis situation. But because the Wolves are missing key rotation players and the Pelicans are without Davis and Mirotic, I’ll play safe and go with the under.
Prediction: Under
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