Saturday, February 27, 2016

Smoothie King Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, February 27, 2016. The opening line for this game has New Orleans as 4 point favorites and the over/under has been set at 217.

The Timberwolves come into this game with an overall record of 18-40 and a road record of 8-20. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -3.7 as they are averaging 100.9 points per game while giving up 104.6 per contest. Minnesota is 2-10 against division opponents and they have a conference record of 9-24. They are 4-6 in their last 10 games. The Pelicans have an overall record of 23-34 and a home record of 16-12. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 102.7 points per game and surrendering 105.6, good for a point differential of -2.8. New Orleans has a division record of 4-8 and a conference record of 15-22. In their last 10 games they are 5-5.

Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 20.8 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 3.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 74%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 17.3 points per game in 30.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 10.2 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Anthony Davis averages 24.1 points per game while playing 35.7 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 10.2 rebounds per game and has 1.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage currently is at 75%. Ryan Anderson averages 16.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.8 rebounds per contest and 1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Minnesota averages 100.9 points per contest this season which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.7 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 28th in the league. They average 49.9 rebounds per game and 22.5 assists per game which ranks them 26th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 20th with 14.9 per game. The Timberwolves allow 104.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 26th and 14th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 50.2 rebounds a game which ranks 7th and they give up 21.9 assists per contest which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the league.

New Orleans averages 102.7 points per game this year which ranks them 10th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -2.8 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 18th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 12th in the NBA. They average 50.5 rebounds per game and 21.8 assists per contest which ranks them 23rd and 15th respectively. In the turnover department the Pelicans rank 2nd with 13.1 per game. The Pelicans allow 105.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc ranking them 25th and 28th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 52.3 rebounds a game which ranks 16th and they give up 22.4 assists per contest which puts them in 19th place in the league. The Pelicans force 13.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the NBA.

The Timberwolves average 101.4 points per game on the road this season and they have scored 108 ppg in their past 3 contests. They have an average scoring differential of -3.4 on the road and in their past 3 games their difference is -5 per contest. The Timberwolves have an offensive rating of 105.7 and a defensive rating of 109.6. In terms of pace they average 94.6 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 49%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they shoot 3 pointers on 19% of their shots. Minnesota turns the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%.

The Pelicans score 107.2 ppg at home and they have averaged 107.7 points per contest in their last 3 games. They have an average scoring differential of -3.7 in their past 3 contests and at home this season they have a difference of 1.2 points per game. The Pelicans rating on offense is 106.1 and they have a defensive rating of 109. They get 96.3 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 28% of their shot attempts. New Orleans turns the ball over on 12 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.7 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 52%.

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 26-31-1 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 31-24-3 against the over/under

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 24-33-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 28-27-2 against the over/under

Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

02/26/16 PG Andre Miller None has been waived
02/23/16 C Nikola Pekovic Foot out indefinitely
02/19/16 F Nemanja Bjelica Foot out indefinitely
01/30/16 F Kevin Garnett Knee out indefinitely

New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

02/26/16 F Anthony Davis Knee injured last game, probable Saturday vs. Minnesota
02/25/16 G Bryce Dejean-Jones Wrist out for season
02/23/16 C Omer Asik Ankle out indefinitely
02/12/16 G Tyreke Evans Knee out for season
01/19/16 G Eric Gordon Finger out 4-6 weeks
01/11/16 F Quincy Pondexter Knee out for season

Guy's Pick: Take New Orleans

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn