New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 2/3/2018

Saturday, February 3, 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, February 3, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 8.5 point favorites.

The Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 27-23. They are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.1 as they are averaging 110.8 points per game while giving up 110.7 per contest. The Timberwolves have an overall mark of 33-22. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 108.9 points per contest and giving up 105.7, which is a point differential of 3.2.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 26-24-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 29-21-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 27-26-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 27-27-1 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely
02/02/18 F Nikola Mirotic Acquired is doubtful Friday vs Oklahoma City
02/01/18 F Dante Cunningham Back injured last game, is upgraded to probable Friday vs Oklahoma City
01/27/18 F DeMarcus Cousins Achilles is out for season

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis averages 26.4 points per game in 36.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.6 assists per contest and 10.6 rebounds per game for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 55% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%. Jrue Holiday comes into this contest averaging 18.7 points per game while playing 36.9 minutes per night so far this season for the Pelicans. He pulls down 4.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is currently at 81%.

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler averages 21.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.4 rebounds per contest and 5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 87%. Andrew Wiggins averages 17.9 points per game while playing 36 minutes per contest this year for the Timberwolves. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per game and has 1.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 63%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans allow 110.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 29th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 14th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44 rebounds a game which ranks 21st, and they give up 24.2 assists per contest which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league. New Orleans averages 110.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.02 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 2nd. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 43 rebounds per game and 26.4 assists per game, which ranks them 17th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 6th with 15.7 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves surrender 105.7 points per contest, which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 20th in those defensive statistics. They rank 22nd with 24.1 assists allowed per contest, and 4th with 41.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 28th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per game this season. Minnesota is 6th in the league with 108.9 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 3.2. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 26th in the NBA. They are 23rd in the league in rebounding with 41.6 boards per game and 13th in assists per contest with 22.7. The Timberwolves are 29th in turnovers per game with 12.5.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 9th in the league in defensive rating with 109.7, and their offensive rating of 109.8 is ranked 9th. They are 4th in the NBA in pace with 99.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 3rd. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 13th in the NBA. New Orleans is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 30th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the league. The Timberwolves are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.4, and their defensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 6th. In terms of pace they are 24th in the league with 95.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 12th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota -8.5

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