The Minnesota Timberwolves aim to start a new winning streak at Target Center after their impressive eight-game run was snapped by Indiana in a heartbreaking overtime loss, while the injury-plagued New Orleans Pelicans limp into town having dropped seven of their last eight games.
Anthony Edwards has been on fire for Minnesota, putting up 28+ points in his last four outings, while Zion Williamson remains the lone bright spot for New Orleans, who just lost key piece Trey Murphy III to a season-ending shoulder injury.
The Timberwolves, boasting the NBA's third-best defense, host a Pelicans squad that just suffered their worst loss of the season in a 46-point blowout against Detroit.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans matchup, our predictive model gives the Wolves an 81.67% chance of defeating the Pels.
Pre-game probabilities
Minnesota Timberwolves
Moneyline
Win %
81.67%
18.33%
New Orleans Pelicans
Minnesota Timberwolves: 81.67% win probability
- Superior offensive output (7937 points scored vs Pelicans' 7617)
- Better defensive efficiency (7649 points against vs Pelicans' 8218)
- Stronger recent form (LWWWW vs Pelicans' LLLWL)
New Orleans Pelicans: 18.33% win probability
- Poor win-loss record (18-51, second-worst in Western Conference)
- Defensive struggles (8218 points against, third-worst in conference)
- Inconsistent scoring (7617 points scored, lowest among playoff contenders)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model brings together insights from top NBA experts. Instead of searching through countless expert analyses online, you can rely on our predictions to capture the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing expert picks, data, and trends, while our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. These confidence levels are then averaged to generate an 'expert opinion' win probability—providing a data-driven reflection of the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NBA analysts..
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Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans preview
The red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves host a struggling New Orleans Pelicans squad at Target Center in what's shaping up to be a David vs. Goliath matchup.
The T-Wolves, fresh off an eight-game winning streak that was snapped by Indiana's buzzer-beater, have been clicking on both ends with the league's 7th-ranked offense and 3rd-ranked defense.
Anthony Edwards has been on an absolute tear for Minnesota, dropping 28+ points in his last four games while shooting a blistering 40% from downtown - he's evolved into the kind of superstar that keeps opposing coaches up at night.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, just can't catch a break - they're reeling from Trey Murphy III's season-ending shoulder injury and coming off a brutal 46-point loss to Detroit where only Zion Williamson showed signs of life with 30 points.
While Zion's been consistently putting up 20+ points in his last eight games, the Pelicans' supporting cast has struggled mightily, with CJ McCollum's recent 1-for-15 shooting night highlighting their offensive woes.
The T-Wolves' Julius Randle and Naz Reid have been providing solid secondary scoring, with Reid coming off a 21-point performance that showcases Minnesota's depth.
These teams met back in January with Minnesota taking a seven-point win on the road, but both squads look drastically different now - the Pelicans dealing with mounting injuries while the Wolves have hit their stride.
With Minnesota's suffocating defense led by potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate Rudy Gobert facing a depleted Pelicans offense, this matchup at Target Center could get ugly fast.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans form
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans head to head
Minnesota Timberwolves
50%
New Orleans Pelicans
50%
Jan 8, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans
97 : 104
Minnesota Timberwolves
Jul 12, 2024
Minnesota Timberwolves
81 : 74
New Orleans Pelicans
Jan 4, 2024
Minnesota Timberwolves
106 : 117
New Orleans Pelicans
Dec 12, 2023
New Orleans Pelicans
121 : 107
Minnesota Timberwolves
Nov 19, 2023
New Orleans Pelicans
120 : 121
Minnesota Timberwolves
Nov 9, 2023
Minnesota Timberwolves
122 : 101
New Orleans Pelicans
