The Minnesota Timberwolves (28-53) and New Orleans Pelicans (30-51) bring the regular season to an end when they square off at the Target Center. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Apr. 13 and will air on FSN and FS+.
The Timberwolves were blown out by the Rockets 129-105 on Monday. Shabazz Muhammad finished with 23 points to lead the team. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 121-116 loss to the Bulls on Monday. James Ennis had a game-high 29 points.
Andrew Wiggins has been playing at a high level over the last five games for the Timberwolves. During that stretch, he has averaged 22.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.8 three-pointers.
Keep tabs on Minnesota’s ability to get to the free throw line. They’re ranked second in the NBA in free throw attempt rate (33.3), but New Orleans is among the best in the league at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking fifth by yielding a free throw attempt rate of 28.7). Also, the Pelicans commit the second-fewest errors in the NBA (turnover percentage of 13.1%), while the gambling defense of the Timberwolves causes the third-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 14.6%).
The Pelicans have won two out of three against the Timberwolves this season, but dropped their most recent game, a close 112-110 loss. Karl-Anthony Towns put up a double-double in the victory with 30 points and 15 rebounds.
The Timberwolves are trying to improve upon their records of 28-53 Straight Up (SU) and 38-42-1 Against The Spread (ATS). While they boast a record of against Western Conference opponents at home, they have struggled to beat the spread in those same games, going 13-26-1. The Timberwolves are an impressive shooting team from the line with a .792 free throw percentage, one of the highest marks in the NBA.
Over on the other bench, the Pelicans have a record of 36-44-1 ATS and 30-51 SU. New Orleans has records of 30-51 SU and 36-44-1 ATS against the West.
Minnesota beat New Orleans in their most recent meeting this season, but the Pelicans still lead the head-to-head record over the last 10, 7-3 SU. The Pelicans also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – NO
Notes
New Orleans ranks 13th in points per game with 102.6, while Minnesota ranks 23rd in points allowed with an average of 105.9 given up.
New Orleans scores an average of 99.3 points per away game (ranked 20th). Minnesota ranks 25th in points allowed per home game with 105.2.
In contests where it has given up fewer than 100 points, Minnesota has a 12-11 record. When New Orleans puts up fewer than 100, it is a subpar 1-36.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a subpar 16-42 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The New Orleans Pelicans are 29-15 when they hit triple digits.
The Timberwolves have an offensive rating of 104.6 (ranked 12th). The Pelicans rank seventh for their defensive rating of 107.5.
Minnesota averages fewer possessions per game than New Orleans, with 97.5 compared to 99.0. However, the Timberwolves score an average of 1.046 points per possession, more than the 1.036 that the Pelicans score.
The Minnesota Timberwolves average an effective field goal percentage of 49.5% this season. The New Orleans Pelicans have a losing record of 15-37 when opponents have an EFF% of 49.5% or greater.
On average, the Minnesota Timberwolves make 23.1 assists per game and the New Orleans Pelicans make 22.1. Minnesota is ranked eighth, while New Orleans is ranked 18th.
Minnesota makes an average of 4.5 blocks per game (ranked 19th), while New Orleans makes 4.2 blocks per game (ranked 23rd).
The Minnesota Timberwolves rank 19th in offensive rebounding, while the New Orleans Pelicans rank 18th in defensive rebounding.
On average, Minnesota makes 7.9 steals per game. New Orleans is an underachieving 15-31 when it gives up at least 7 steals.
