Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction 12/2/2025 Today’s NBA Picks

The Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans meet Tuesday in NBA action at the Smoothie King Center. Here’s a Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Pick.

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview

The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Celtics and Spurs, and they play the Pelicans next. The Timberwolves have split their last 8 games.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are averaging 118.8 points on 48.2 percent shooting and allowing 114.2 points on 45.6 percent shooting. Anthony Edwards is averaging 28 points and 4.8 rebounds, while Julius Randle is averaging 23.4 points and 5.7 assists. Jaden McDaniels is the third double-digit scorer, and Donte DiVincenzo is grabbing 3.9 rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves are shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc and 75.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Minnesota Timberwolves are allowing 35.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.2 rebounds per game.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview

The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Lakers and Warriors, and they play the Timberwolves next. The Pelicans have lost 25 of their last 28 games.

The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 111.5 points on 44.9 percent shooting and allowing 122.5 points on 50.5 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 21.8 points and 5.4 rebounds, while Trey Murphy III is averaging 19.7 points and 6.2 rebounds. Jordan Poole is the third double-digit scorer and Jeremiah Fears is dishing 2.7 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 76.4 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 36.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.4 rebounds per game.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win

• The home team has won eight of the Timberwolves’ last nine games.
• The Timberwolves have lost each of their last three road games.
• The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last five games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
• The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last 10 road games against Western Conference opponents.

Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win

• The Pelicans have lost each of their last 12 night games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
• The Timberwolves have won nine of their last 10 games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last four games as favorites against Southwest Division opponents.
• The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as home underdogs following a road loss.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of the Timberwolves’ last nine games against Southwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of the Pelicans’ last four home games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts

• Derik Queen ranks 8th amongst qualified Centers for assists per game (3.4) this season.
• Zion Williamson leads all Pelicans players for points per 36 minutes (25.8) this season.

Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts

• Donte DiVincenzo has recorded five games with 4+ assists and zero turnovers this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
• Anthony Edwards is one of only three players in the league to have scored 30+ points in five straight games this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (6.4).
• The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (15.2).
• The Timberwolves rank 4th in the league for three-point percentage this season (38.6%).
• The Timberwolves rank 4th in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (76.5%).

Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report

The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray, Hebert Jones, Karlo Matkovic, and Jordan Poole. Trey Murphy III and Jordan Hawkins are questionable.

The Timberwolves don’t have any players listed on their injury report.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction

On paper the Timberwolves should win this game comfortably, but they’re a team that plays with their food a lot, and it’s why they’re 8-12 ATS on the season. The Timberwolves are 4-7 ATS in their last 11 games when favorites of 5 or more points, and 2 of those failed covers were outright losses. Yes, the Pelicans are awful and banged up, but I don’t trust the Timberwolves with big numbers. These are the type of games the Timberwolves just barely get by. Give me the points with the Pels.

Randy Chambers's Pick: New Orleans Pelicans +9.5