Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 1/7/2025 8:00 PM EST

We have your Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Minnesota Timberwolves hit the road to face the New Orleans Pelicans.

Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans Odds Info

Best Moneyline Odds: Minnesota Timberwolves -190 (BetMGM) / New Orleans Pelicans +172 (FanDuel)
Best Spread Odds: 4.5 - Minnesota Timberwolves -110 (BetMGM) / 5.0 - New Orleans Pelicans -110 (bet365)
Best Total Odds: 220.5 - Under -105 (ESPN BET) / Over -110 (BetMGM)

Game Info

Date: 1/7/2025
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Location: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, LA)
TV: NBA League Pass

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

On the road, the Minnesota Timberwolves have 8 wins and 10 losses this season.
As the favorite, the Minnesota Timberwolves have 16 wins and 13 losses this season.
Overall this season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have 18 wins and 17 losses.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

At home, the New Orleans Pelicans have 5 wins and 14 losses this season.
As the favorite, the New Orleans Pelicans have 3 wins and 25 losses this season.
Overall this season, the New Orleans Pelicans have 7 wins and 29 losses.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the past two seasons, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New Orleans Pelicans have faced each other four times, with each team securing two victories. The games have been evenly split between home and away wins, with the visiting team winning twice and the home team also winning twice. In terms of betting outcomes, the Pelicans have been more successful against the spread, covering in three out of the four matchups, while the Timberwolves have covered only once. All four games have gone over the total points line, indicating high-scoring affairs between these two teams.

The most recent encounter between the Timberwolves and the Pelicans took place on January 3, 2024, where the New Orleans Pelicans emerged victorious with a score of 117-106. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 27 points, while CJ McCollum added 24 points. Brandon Ingram also contributed significantly with 19 points. The Pelicans had a strong shooting performance, hitting 55.6% of their field goals and dominating the boards with a 41-28 rebounding advantage. The Timberwolves were led by Anthony Edwards, who scored 35 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who added 22 points. Despite their efforts, the Timberwolves struggled with turnovers, committing 13 compared to the Pelicans' 14, and were unable to overcome a 24-point deficit at one point in the game.

In the previous three matchups, the outcomes varied. On December 11, 2023, the Pelicans won at home with a score of 121-107, covering the spread as favorites. Earlier, on November 18, 2023, the Timberwolves secured a narrow victory on the road, winning 121-120, despite the Pelicans covering the spread as underdogs. The first game of the series on November 8, 2023, saw the Timberwolves winning decisively at home, 122-101, covering the spread as favorites. Across these games, the Pelicans have shown a tendency to cover the spread more often, while the Timberwolves have demonstrated their ability to win both at home and on the road.

Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans Preview

The Minnesota Timberwolves are set to face the New Orleans Pelicans in what promises to be an intriguing matchup at the Smoothie King Center. The Timberwolves, fresh off a narrow 108-106 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, are looking to build momentum and secure their first winning streak of 2025. Anthony Edwards, who has been a standout performer for Minnesota, will be a key player to watch. His recent performances, including a 53-point game against the Pistons, highlight his ability to take over games and lead his team to victory.

On the other hand, the New Orleans Pelicans are aiming to extend their modest two-game winning streak. Despite a challenging season marked by injuries and a 7-29 record, the Pelicans have shown resilience. Their recent victories against the Washington Wizards have provided a glimmer of hope, and they will be eager to continue this positive trend. CJ McCollum has been a bright spot for New Orleans, delivering a career-high 50 points in a recent game, and his shooting prowess will be crucial against the Timberwolves.

In terms of head-to-head matchups, the Timberwolves and Pelicans have been evenly matched over the past two seasons, each securing two wins. The Pelicans have been more successful against the spread, covering in three of the last four encounters. However, the Timberwolves have demonstrated their ability to win both at home and on the road, making them a formidable opponent.

Injuries could play a significant role in this game. The Pelicans are dealing with several key players being sidelined, including Brandon Ingram and potentially Zion Williamson, who is listed as day-to-day. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, have their core players available, which could give them an edge in this matchup.

Overall, this game presents an opportunity for the Timberwolves to capitalize on their recent form and the Pelicans' injury woes. With both teams looking to make a statement, fans can expect a competitive and high-energy contest.

Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves Moneyline

The Minnesota Timberwolves are poised to secure a victory against the New Orleans Pelicans, making them a strong pick for the moneyline. The Timberwolves are coming off a confidence-boosting 108-106 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure and close out tight games. Anthony Edwards has been a standout performer, recently delivering a remarkable 53-point game against the Pistons, and his scoring prowess will be a significant factor in this matchup.

In contrast, the New Orleans Pelicans have struggled throughout the season, holding a 7-29 record. Despite a recent two-game winning streak, the Pelicans have been plagued by injuries, with key players like Brandon Ingram out and Zion Williamson listed as day-to-day. This lack of depth could hinder their ability to compete effectively against a Timberwolves team that has its core players available and ready to capitalize on any weaknesses.

Historically, the Timberwolves have shown they can win both at home and on the road, and their recent form suggests they are well-positioned to continue this trend. The Pelicans, while having covered the spread in three of their last four encounters with the Timberwolves, have not been able to translate these covers into outright wins consistently. Given the Timberwolves' current momentum and the Pelicans' ongoing injury concerns, Minnesota is the more reliable choice for the moneyline in this matchup.

Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans Top Player Prop Picks

Anthony Edwards Over 3.5 Turnovers +140 (bet365)

Anthony Edwards has been a dynamic force for the Minnesota Timberwolves, especially highlighted by his recent 53-point performance against the Pistons. However, his aggressive style of play often leads to turnovers, as evidenced by the Timberwolves' struggle with turnovers in their previous matchups against the Pelicans. Given the Pelicans' defensive capabilities, particularly with Herb Jones likely focusing on Edwards, the potential for turnovers is high. The odds of +140 for Edwards to exceed 3.5 turnovers present a compelling opportunity, especially considering the Pelicans' ability to disrupt offensive flow.

CJ McCollum Over 3.5 3Fgm +104 (BetRivers)

CJ McCollum has been a standout performer for the New Orleans Pelicans, recently achieving a career-high 50 points with an impressive 10-for-16 shooting from beyond the arc. His shooting prowess will be crucial against the Timberwolves, who have allowed opponents to shoot 45.9% from the field. McCollum's ability to find his rhythm and capitalize on the Timberwolves' defensive lapses makes the over on 3.5 made three-pointers an attractive proposition. With the Pelicans relying heavily on McCollum's scoring, especially in the absence of key players like Brandon Ingram, he is likely to have ample opportunities to exceed this line.

Julius Randle Over 7.5 Rebounds +120 (FanDuel)

Julius Randle has been a consistent performer for the Timberwolves, particularly in December where he averaged 22.0 points on 53.6% shooting. His rebounding ability will be crucial against a Pelicans team that ranks 24th in the NBA for allowing offensive rebounds. With the Pelicans' defensive focus likely on Anthony Edwards, Randle could find himself in advantageous positions to secure rebounds. The odds of +120 for Randle to exceed 7.5 rebounds are enticing, especially given the Pelicans' struggles on the boards and Randle's recent form.