Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 2/8/19 Predictions & Odds

Timberwolves vs. Pelicans Prediction

The NBA trade deadline came and went without the Pelicans moving Anthony Davis. Although he’s likely to be dealt in the offseason, Davis will be in the lineup tonight when the Pels host the Timberwolves at 9:30 p.m. ET. Will New Orleans cover as a home favorite?

Game Snapshot

513 Minnesota Timberwolves at 514 New Orleans Pelicans

9:30 p.m. ET, Friday, February 8, 2019

Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

Our NBA Live Odds page pulls spreads and totals from multiple different online sportsbooks so you can compare betting odds to ensure you’re getting the best line.

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook BetNow.eu, the Pelicans are 6-point favorites to beat the Timberwolves. The total, meanwhile, sits at 231 points and as of this writing, 54% of the public betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Timberwolves to cover the point spread.

Minnesota Timberwolves Fantasy Spin

Andrew Wiggins scored 23 points (10-of-28 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs) with nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in 36 minutes against the Magic on Thursday. Wiggins attempted a season-high 28 shots in this one, but kept up his recent struggles. He's shooting just 36.7% from the field over his last five games and scoring 18.4 points. The Wolves are committed to Wiggins as one of their cornerstones, but he's far from that in fantasy basketball.

New Orleans Pelicans Fantasy Spin

Anthony Davis (finger) isn't on the injury report ahead of Friday's game vs. the Wolves. Davis reportedly wanted to play in the Pelicans' previous two games but the team held him out with the deadline looming. Now that he's in New Orleans until the end of the season, he reportedly wants to play in "every game" -- but the Pelicans will want to protect their prized trade asset and may have other ideas. From a fantasy perspective, AD staying in New Orleans carries obvious risk and isn't an ideal outcome from the trade deadline.

NBA Betting Trends

Minnesota

The Timberwolves are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games when facing an opponent with a losing record.

New Orleans

The Pelicans are a perfect 4-0 against the spread in their last four games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Prediction

With Davis returning tonight, this game could go one of two ways for New Orleans. Either Davis re-energizes a Pelicans team that has lost six of their last eight games or his return provides an awkward, tense situation inside Smoothie King and Minnesota capitalizes. If the Timberwolves were playing better right now, I would be in favor of taking a flier on them in what feels like an inflated line. That said, the T-Wolves are winless at the betting window in their last five games and have dropped six straight against the spread coming off a loss. Minnesota has also struggled at the betting window in New Orleans, where the Pelicans are 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings with the T-Wolves. The home team is also 19-7 against the spread in the last 26 meetings between these two teams.

Friday NBA Prediction: New Orleans Pelicans -6