Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions, Free NBA Picks 3/3/2020

Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans

Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Location: Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA

TV: Fox Sports New Orleans

Odds/Point Spread: New Orleans -12

Total/Over-Under: 246.5

D'Angelo Russell and the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-42, 5th in the Northwest Division) are headed to Smoothie King Center on Tuesday where they'll take on the New Orleans Pelicans (26-34, 4th in the Southwest Division). The odds on this matchup have New Orleans as 12 point favorites. The total has been set at 246.5.

The Timberwolves cover 35.1% of the time, having gone 20-37-2 ATS. New Orleans is covering 51.7% of the time, going 30-28-2 against the spread.

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

02/14/20 C Karl-Anthony Towns Wrist is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

03/01/20 SG JJ Redick Hamstring is out 2-3 weeks
02/21/20 G Kenrich Williams Back is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Malik Beasley averages 10.2 points per game in 20.9 minutes per contest. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 2.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%. D'Angelo Russell comes into this contest averaging 23.6 points per game while playing 32.4 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday averages 19.1 points per game and he sees the court an average of 34.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.6 rebounds per contest and 6.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 71%. Brandon Ingram averages 24.6 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per contest. He grabs 6.3 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 117.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 28th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 22nd and 21st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.7 rebounds a game which ranks 29th, and they give up 24.0 assists per contest which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 15.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league. Minnesota averages 112.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -4.3 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 28th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 28th in the league. They average 45.2 rebounds per game and 23.7 assists per contest, which ranks them 15th and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 15.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans surrender 116.9 points per contest, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 19th and 18th in those defensive statistics. They rank 16th with 24.5 assists allowed per contest, and 15th with 45.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 16th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per game. New Orleans is 6th in the league with 115.8 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -1.1. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 3rd in the NBA. They are 5th in the league in rebounding with 46.8 boards per game and 3rd in assists per contest with 26.8. The Pelicans are 3rd in turnovers per game with 16.1.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 23rd in the league in defensive rating with 111.9, and their offensive rating of 107.8 is ranked 21st. They are 5th in the NBA in pace with 103.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 26th. As a unit they are 26th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 44% of their shot attempts, ranking 3rd in the NBA. Minnesota is 14th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 11th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 5th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 14th in the league. The Pelicans are 15th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.8, and their defensive rating of 111.8 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 2nd in the league with 103.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 7th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Minnesota +12

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