Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 11/29/2017

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, November 29, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 3.5 point favorites.

The Timberwolves head into this matchup with a mark of 12-8. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.2 as they are averaging 108.1 points per contest while giving up 108.3 per game. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 11-9. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 108.3 points per contest and giving up 108.4, which is a point differential of -0.1.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 8-10-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 9-10-1 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 12-8-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 9-11-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

11/26/17 PG Jeff Teague Achilles is "?" Tuesday vs Washington
11/26/17 F Nemanja Bjelica Foot is "?" Tuesday vs Washington

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

11/27/17 F Dante Cunningham Knee left last game, is "?" Wednesday vs Minnesota
11/27/17 G Tony Allen Knee is "?" Wednesday vs Minnesota
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler averages 17.4 points per game in 36.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.3 assists per contest and 5.4 rebounds per game for Minnesota. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%. Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 18.9 points per game while playing 36.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Timberwolves. He pulls down 4.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 63%.

Player Spotlight

Demarcus Cousins averages 25.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 12.6 rebounds per contest and 5.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 76%. Jrue Holiday averages 15.1 points per game while playing 36 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 5.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage currently is at 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 108.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 49% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 30th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.3 rebounds a game which ranks 4th, and they give up 24.4 assists per contest which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league. Minnesota averages 108.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.15 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 8th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 15th in the league. They average 42.8 rebounds per game and 22.2 assists per game, which ranks them 19th and 17th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 26th with 14.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans surrender 108.4 points per contest, which ranks them 26th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 12th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 20th with 23.1 assists allowed per contest, and 18th with 44 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 18th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.7 per game this season. New Orleans is 8th in the league with 108.3 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is -0.1. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 26th in the NBA. They are 14th in the league in rebounding with 44.3 boards per game and 2nd in assists per contest with 25.9. The Pelicans are 4th in turnovers per game with 16.6.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 110.5, and their offensive rating of 110.4 is ranked 4th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 97.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 17th. As a unit they are 11th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shot attempts, ranking 29th in the NBA. Minnesota is 29th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 2nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 5th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 17th in the league. The Pelicans are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.3, and their defensive rating of 107.4 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 7th in the league with 100.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 15th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Timberwolves/Pelicans NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take New Orleans -3.5

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