Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Point Spread Picks 2/8/2019

Friday, February 8, 2019

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, February 8, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 4 point favorites.

The Timberwolves have a record of 25-28. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of 0.1 as they average 111.3 points per game while giving up 111.2 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall record of 24-31 this season. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They average 116.2 points per game and surrender 114.9, good for a point differential of 1.3.

Valuable Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 26-27-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 27-26-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 26-27-1 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 27-26-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

02/07/19 PG Derrick Rose Ankle is downgraded to out Thursday vs Orlando
02/06/19 PG Jeff Teague Foot is downgraded to doubtful Thursday vs Orlando
01/16/19 PG Tyus Jones Ankle is out indefinitely
01/03/19 SF Robert Covington Ankle is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

02/07/19 F Anthony Davis Hand is questionable Friday vs Minnesota
02/06/19 G E'Twaun Moore Quad is questionable Friday vs Minnesota
02/06/19 PG Elfrid Payton Ankle is questionable Friday vs Minnesota
01/24/19 F Nikola Mirotic Calf is doubtful Wednesday vs Chicago
01/04/19 F Markieff Morris Neck is out 6-8 weeks

Player Spotlight

Karl-Anthony Towns averages 22.8 points per game in 33.2 minutes per contest. He averages 3.2 assists per contest and 12.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%. Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 17.7 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 39% while his free throw percentage is at 72%.

Player Spotlight

Jahlil Okafor averages 7.8 points per game and he sees the court an average of 14.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.6 rebounds per contest and 0.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 60% and his free throw percentage is 72%. Jrue Holiday averages 20.9 points per game while playing 36.7 minutes per contest. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 8.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 111.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 28th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.3 rebounds a game which ranks 19th, and they give up 25.6 assists per contest which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league. Minnesota averages 111.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 17th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 23rd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 19th in the league. They average 45.0 rebounds per game and 24.4 assists per contest, which ranks them 18th and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 28th with 13.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans surrender 114.9 points per contest, which ranks them 26th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 19th and 26th in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 25.8 assists allowed per contest, and 13th with 44.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 5th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.2 per game. New Orleans is 3rd in the league with 116.2 points per game this year. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 1.3. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They are 6th in the league in rebounding with 46.9 boards per game and 4th in assists per contest with 26.8. The Pelicans are 13th in turnovers per game with 14.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 110.8, and their offensive rating of 110.8 is ranked 19th. They are 16th in the NBA in pace with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 26th. As a unit they are 23rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA. Minnesota is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 12th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 18th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 10th in the NBA. The Pelicans are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 112.3, and their offensive rating of 113.6 is ranked 24th. They are 6th in the NBA in pace with 102.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 7th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Timberwolves/Pelicans NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take New Orleans -4

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