New Orleans Pelicans vs. Minnesota Timberwolves - 12/18/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: New Orleans Pelicans vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Location: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN

TV: Fox Sports North

Odds/Point Spread: Minnesota -3.5

Total/Over-Under: 222

Andrew Wiggins and the Minnesota Timberwolves (10-15, 5th in the Northwest Division) host the New Orleans Pelicans (6-21, 5th in the Southwest Division) at Target Center on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. The odds on this matchup have Minnesota as 3.5 point favorites. The total is set at 222.

The Pelicans cover the spread 34.6% of the time, having gone 9-17-1 ATS. Minnesota covers the spread 37.5% of the time, going 9-15-1 against the spread.

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/16/2019 Zylan Cheatham SF Undisclosed Game Time Decision
12/16/2019 JJ Redick SG Groin Expected to be out until at least Dec 18
12/6/2019 Zion Williamson SF Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 3
8/29/2019 Darius Miller SF Achilles Expected to be out until at least Apr 1

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/15/2019 Jake Layman SF Toe Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

Brandon Ingram comes into this contest averaging 25.0 points per game while playing 33.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 84%. Jrue Holiday averages 19.4 points per game in 36.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.8 assists per contest and 5.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 67%.

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averages 25.0 points per game while playing 35.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 3.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 75%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 26.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.7 rebounds per contest and 4.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 112.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -7.3 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 19th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 44.1 rebounds per game and 25.0 assists per game, which ranks them 20th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 16.0 per game. The Pelicans allow 120.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 29th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 27th and 26th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.4 rebounds a game which ranks 24th and they give up 25.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 23rd place in the league. They force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 7th in the league with 114.7 points per game this year. They are 24th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -3.4. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 28th in the NBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 46.4 boards per game, and 22nd in assists per contest with 23.0. The Timberwolves are 13th in turnovers per game with 15.5. The Timberwolves surrender 118.1 points per contest, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 21st and 25th in those defensive statistics. They rank 18th with 24.2 assists allowed per contest and 27th with 46.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 12th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 114.9, and their offensive rating of 107.9 is ranked 28th. They are 4th in the NBA in pace with 103.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 9th. As a unit they are 15th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the NBA. New Orleans is 10th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 4th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 17th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 13th in the NBA. The Timberwolves are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 112.6, and their offensive rating of 109.4 is ranked 23rd. They are 6th in the NBA in pace with 103.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 21st. As a unit they are 18th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 5th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New Orleans +3.5

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