Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 12/31/18 NBA Predictions

Timberwolves vs. Pelicans Prediction

Will the New Orleans Pelicans avoid a letdown at home tonight when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at 8PM ET?

Game Snapshot & Odds

571 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. 572 New Orleans Pelicans

Monday, December 31, 2018

8PM ET – Smoothie King Center

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Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Pelicans are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -5.5 points against the Timberwolves. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 230 points. The public betting for this game currently has 70 percent going on the Pelicans at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.

Timberwolves picking up road wins

Minnesota has suddenly gotten hot on the road, winning three straight away from home. That includes a 113-104 win at Miami last night. The Timberwolves are 17-19 on the season, 5-13 on the road, 19-17 against the spread and 19-17 with the under.

The Timberwolves are putting up 111.4 points per game this season while shooting 35.9 percent from the arc. Defensively, the T’Wolves are giving up 111.2 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 37.2 percent from the arc. Derrick Rose, Jeff Teague and Keita Bates-Diop are all questionable to play tonight due to varying injuries. Karl-Anthony Towns is leading the team with 21.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game while Rose has been averaging 18.9 points and 4.8 assists per contest.

Pelicans on a dive

New Orleans is coming off a 108-104 loss at home to Houston on Saturday night. The Pelicans have lost six of their last seven games and have failed to cover in five straight. New Orleans is 16-21 on the season, 12-6 at home, 15-22 against the spread and 19-18 with the over.

The Pelicans are putting up 116.0 points per game this season, which ranks second in the NBA. Defensively, New Orleans is giving up 115.3 points per contest. Nikola Mirotic is out for tonight’s game with an ankle injury, but Elfird Payton is expected to return tonight from his finger injury. He has played in just six games this year. Anthony Davis is leading the team this year with 20.8 points and 13.0 rebounds per game while Jrue Holiday is adding 20.8 points and 8.7 assists per contest.

NBA Betting Trends

Minnesota

The Timberwolves have covered the spread in five straight Monday games, but are just 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games against Southwest Division opponents.

New Orleans

The Pelicans are 1-4 against the spread in their last five home games and have failed to cover in five straight conference games.

Prediction:

Both teams are hard to rely on, as the Pelicans haven’t played up to their potential all season and Minnesota just seems to be a team that can’t figure it out. The Timberwolves have won their last three on the road, but I don’t trust them to continue to play well, especially after playing yesterday. The Pelicans get Payton back in the mix, which could provide a boost on offense. Davis also should be able to negate the impact Towns will have.

NBA Prediction: New Orleans Pelicans -5.5