Update: Zion Williamson has been ruled out for rest purposes. The Timberwolves are now 7.5-point favorites and the total is now 217.5. We still like Minnesota as the ATS pick and the under on the total.
The Minnesota Timberwolves (8-3) will look to get back to winning ways when they meet the New Orleans Pelicans (6-6) Saturday evening. The Timberwolves saw a seven-game winning streak end at the hands of the Suns, while the Pelicans have won two in a row.
The Timberwolves are intact when it comes to the main rotation. We’ll see if the Pelicans rest anyone on the second night of a back-to-back set.
The Timberwolves are 6.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total sitting at 220.5. Minnesota is -245 on the moneyline while New Orleans is +200.
Timberwolves vs. Pelicans, 7 p.m. ET
Pick ATS: Timberwolves -6.5
Minnesota has bounced back well from setbacks early in the 2023-24 season, sporting a 2-0 ATS mark after losses. The Pelicans are 1-0 ATS with no rest, but the Timberwolves are 2-0 with 2+ days off and have a +22 margin of victory in those contests. Anthony Edwards will be the best player on the floor, and Minnesota’s bigs should take advantage of New Orleans on the glass. With the Pelicans likely a bit fatigued after Friday’s game against the Nuggets, take the Timberwolves to win and cover Saturday.
Over/Under: Under 220.5
These teams rank 18th (Minnesota) and 19th (New Orleans) in points per game so far this season, so there’s not much reason to take the over. The Timberwolves have been great defensively, ranking second in points allowed and first in defensive rating. The Pelicans haven’t been good on that side of the ball and might slip a bit more on short rest, but that likely won’t be enough to send the total over this line. Take the under here.
