The Minnesota Timberwolves (13-8) and New Orleans Pelicans (3-19) wrap up a 2-game set Thursday. Tip-off from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Timberwolves vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Timberwolves lead 1-0
Minnesota squeaked out its third win in a row with a 149-142 OT victory over New Orleans Tuesday. It failed to cover as a 12.5-point road favorite and the Over (229.5) hit. The Timberwolves were propelled by a game-high 44-point performance from G Anthony Edwards and a double-double from C Rudy Gobert (26 points, 13 rebounds). The Wolves overcame a 15-point deficit in the victory.
New Orleans dropped its fourth straight game Tuesday. F Trey Murphy III exploded for 33 points and 15 rebounds, while 4 of the Pelicans’ 5 starters scored at least 21 points. The team shot 55% from the field, including 57% from 3, in the loss.
Timberwolves at Pelicans odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Timberwolves -600 (bet $600 to win $100) | Pelicans +425 (bet $100 to win $425)Against the spread (ATS): Timberwolves -11.5 (-110) | Pelicans +11.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 233.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Timberwolves at Pelicans key injuries
Timberwolves
Pelicans
F Herbert Jones (calf) outG Dejounte Murray (Achilles) outG Jordan Poole (quad) outF Zion Williamson (adductor) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Timberwolves at Pelicans picks and predictionsPrediction
Timberwolves 127, Pelicans 111
PASS.
There’s no value on the Wolves (-600) to handle a Pelicans squad that’s just 2-10 at home and dealing with several key injuries.
BET TIMBERWOLVES -11.5 (-110).
Despite the Wolves’ performance against the Pelicans Tuesday — needing a comeback to pull out the victory — expect the second meeting to look much different. With the Pelicans dealing with multiple injuries and the Wolves entering fully healthy, the key performers, including Edwards and Gobert, should play major roles. The Pelicans stayed afloat thanks to lights-out shooting, which shouldn’t be expected Thursday.
BET OVER 233.5 (-110).
The Wolves have hit the Over in each of their last 3 games, scoring at least 125 points in back-to-back outings. They’ll do the majority of the heavy lifting for the total, but they’ve also allowed at least 112 points in each of their last 6 games.
The Pelicans have hit the Over in 4 of their last 5 games, including 2 straight. They’ve scored at least 121 points in 4 of their last 5, including 142 or more in 2 of those outings. They’ve allowed at least 130 points in 4 of their last 5.
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