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Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction 1/7/25 NBA Picks
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New Orleans Pelicans (7-29) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (18-17)
January 7, 2025 at 08:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: New Orleans Pelicans +5.5 — Over/Under: 223
The Minnesota Timberwolves and the New Orleans Pelicans duke it out at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday night. Here’s a Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Pick.
Minnesota TimberwolvesÂ
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been in decent form as they’ve won four of their last seven games overall. The Timberwolves will be eager to build some momentum after snapping a three-game slide with a 108-106 home win over the Clippers last night. Anthony Edwards led the team with 37 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists on 14 of 29 shooting, Naz Reid added 18 points with seven rebounds and two blocks off the bench while Donte DiVincenzo chipped in with 15 points and nine rebounds. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 44 percent from the field and 16 of 39 from the 3-point line as they struggled to find their offense to start the game and quickly found themselves trailing by 19 points. The Timberwolves clawed their way back and closed the final 3:56 on a 17-10 run to finish with an impressive comeback victory at home. The Wolves will face the Magic, Grizzlies, Wizards, and Warriors following this one.
New Orleans PelicansÂ
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans look to have moved on from their ugly 11-game losing streak as they are now gunning for a third straight victory after blowing past the lowly Wizards in a 110-98 road win on Sunday. CJ McCollum led the team with 25 points on nine of 18 shooting, Trey Murphy added 22 points on eight of 19 shooting, Yves Missi scored 16 points while Dejounte Murray tallied a triple-double of 14 points with 10 rebounds and 12 assists. As a team, the Pelicans shot just 41 percent from the field and 18 of 49 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 33 points in the first quarter to take the early lead. The Pels just kept the Wizards at bay in the second half where they played solid defense to earn their second straight victory. Jordan Hawkins had a rough shooting game as he shot just two of 10 from the field for six points, while Brandon Boston shot just one of seven for his five points off the bench.Â
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Timberwolves have lost each of their last four road games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games as favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The home team has covered the spread in four of the last five games between the Timberwolves and Pelicans.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 11 games as underdogs.
- The favorites have won each of the Pelicans’ last eight games at Smoothie King Center.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Pelicans.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight home games following a road win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Pelicans’ last five games against Western Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the Timberwolves’ last seven games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
The Timberwolves are still missing Rob Dillingham, while the Pelicans are still missing Trey Murphy and Brandon Ingram, but they are keeping an eye on Zion Williamson who is questionable for this one. The Timberwolves really needed a win to get their season back on track. The Timberwolves were good enough to take down the in-form Clippers last night, but now they’re running into a depleted Pelicans team who have sprung to life with a couple of solid wins thanks to big games from McCollum and Murray. The Timberwolves really shouldn’t have any trouble running past this Pelicans team. However, they are playing their second game of a back-to-back set, so I am leaning towards the Pelicans to hang around and get the cover in the end.Â
