New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 1/6/2018

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, January 6, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 1.5 point favorites.

The Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 19-18. They are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.2 as they are averaging 111.1 points per game while giving up 110.9 per contest. The Timberwolves have an overall mark of 24-15. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 108.4 points per contest and giving up 105.7, which is a point differential of 2.7.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 21-16-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 22-15-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 17-20-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 20-18-1 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/12/17 G Tony Allen Knee is out indefinitely
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely
01/05/18 G E'Twaun Moore Neck injured last game, is probable Saturday vs Minnesota

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/27/17 PG Jeff Teague Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Demarcus Cousins averages 26 points per game in 35.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.1 assists per contest and 12.5 rebounds per game for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 75%. Jrue Holiday comes into this contest averaging 18.3 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Pelicans. He pulls down 4.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 84%.

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler averages 21.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.3 rebounds per contest and 4.9 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 88%. Andrew Wiggins averages 17.7 points per game while playing 36.3 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 4 rebounds per game and has 1.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 63%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans allow 110.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 28th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 20th and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.3 rebounds a game which ranks 17th, and they give up 24 assists per contest which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the league. New Orleans averages 111.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.22 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 2nd. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 3rd in the league. They average 42.8 rebounds per game and 26.6 assists per game, which ranks them 17th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 4th with 15.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves surrender 105.7 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 25th with 24.1 assists allowed per contest, and 2nd with 40.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 28th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.2 per game this season. Minnesota is 6th in the league with 108.4 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 2.64. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 28th in the NBA. They are 23rd in the league in rebounding with 41.3 boards per game and 16th in assists per contest with 22.6. The Timberwolves are 28th in turnovers per game with 13.2.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.4, and their defensive rating of 110.2 is ranked 7th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 3rd. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 12th in the league. New Orleans is 4th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 8th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 29th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the league. The Timberwolves are 5th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.5, and their defensive rating of 109.8 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 11th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shots, ranking 28th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota -1.5

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