Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 12/31/2018

Monday, December 31, 2018

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 Monday, December 31, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 3 point favorites.

The Timberwolves have a record of 16-19. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of -0.1 as they average 111.4 points per game while giving up 111.5 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 16-21. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They total 116.0 points per contest and give up 115.3, which is a point differential of 0.7.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 18-17-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 16-19-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 15-22-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 18-18-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/30/18 PG Derrick Rose Ankle is questionable Monday vs New Orleans
12/21/18 PG Jeff Teague Ankle is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/30/18 SF Darius Miller Illness is upgraded to probable Monday vs Minnesota
12/30/18 PG Elfrid Payton Finger is upgraded to probable Monday vs Minnesota
12/11/18 F Nikola Mirotic Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 16.6 points per game while playing 33.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 72%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 21.2 points per game in 33.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.7 assists per contest and 11.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday averages 20.8 points per game while playing 36.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 8.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 77%. Anthony Davis averages 28.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 13.0 rebounds per contest and 4.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 111.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 9th in the league. They average 44.3 rebounds per game and 24.4 assists per game, which ranks them 19th and 14th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 26th with 13.0 per game. The Timberwolves allow 111.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 21st in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.5 rebounds a game which ranks 26th and they give up 25.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 2nd in the league with 116.0 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 0.7. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 6th in the league in rebounding with 47.4 boards per game, and 4th in assists per contest with 26.9. The Pelicans are 11th in turnovers per game with 14.5. The Pelicans surrender 115.3 points per contest, which ranks them 26th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 21st and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 23rd with 25.0 assists allowed per contest and 12th with 44.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 9th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.2 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111, and their defensive rating of 111.1 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 99.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 25th. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league. Minnesota is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 11th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 16th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 7th in the league. The Pelicans are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.2, and their defensive rating of 112.5 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 102.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 10th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New Orleans -3

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