The New Orleans Pelicans (26-34) host the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-42) Tuesday at the Smoothie King Center for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Timberwolves-Pelicans sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Timberwolves at Pelicans: Key Injuries
Timberwolves
- PF Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist) out
- SG Evan Turner (not with team) out
Pelicans
- SG Darius Miller (Achilles) out
- SG JJ Redick (hamstring) out
- SF Kenrich Williams (back) doubtful
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Timberwolves at Pelicans: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:50 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Timberwolves 127, Pelicans 122
Moneyline (ML)
The Pelicans (-715) are massive home favorites, despite taking a 122-114 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday. They’re still 6-4 across their last 10 games but just 12-18 at home for the season, and certainly aren’t worth a wager at these odds.
While it may be best to pass on the moneyline play in a battle of two Western Conference teams sitting comfortably outside of the playoff picture, the TIMBERWOLVES (+500) are worth at least a small sprinkle for a 5-1 return on your investment. Minnesota is 2-8 across its last 10 games and coming off back-to-back losses to the Orlando Magic (136-125) Friday and Dallas Mavericks (111-91) Sunday. The Pelicans claimed a 107-99 victory in Minnesota Dec. 18 in the season’s first head-to-head meeting, but we can chase the value Tuesday.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Timberwolves to win as road underdogs returns a profit of $50.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Back the TIMBERWOLVES (+11.5, -110) to stay within 11 points in a loss as a much safer but less rewarding play. The T-Wolves’ last five losses each came by at least 10 points and the Pels’ last four wins were each decided by at least 10 points.
Minnesota is the NBA’s worst team against the spread but it actually sports a better ATS record than New Orleans when playing an opponent on equal rest. The ‘Wolves are 16-24-1 in those situations and lose by an average of just 4.4 points, while the Pelicans are 10-16-0 and lose by an average of 2.9 points when playing with equal rest.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the OVER 245.5 (-115) on a very high projection. Minnesota and New Orleans rank seventh and eighth, respectively, in Over percentage this season, both topping the projected totals in over 56% of their games. Defense isn’t a focus of either club, and with KAT out for the Timberwolves, Pelicans PF Zion Williamson is a likely candidate for his second straight 30-point game.
Esten’s NBA betting record: 202-179
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