Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 08/11/2023, 08:06  by Joseph King | Modified on 08/11/2023 at 12:00 in NBA Prediction

A Western Conference clash in the NBA on Wednesday sees the fourth-place Minnesota Timberwolves hosting the fifth-place New Orleans Pelicans. The Timberwolves have had an impressive start to the 2023/24 campaign and are looking like they will be real contenders in a stacked Western Conference. If early signs are anything to go by, the Twolves look like they will be able to improve upon last season’s eighth-place finish and secure themselves a place in the top six. They’re coming off a brilliant 114-109 overtime win against the previously unbeaten Boston Celtics to move to 4-2 on the season. The win was Minneosta’s third in a row, all coming in front of the home fans at the Target Center. This will be the Timberwolves fourth and final outing in their current four game home stand.

The Pelicans had gotten off to a fast start with four wins from their first five games. They’ve since cooled off somewhat and have now lost their last two straight following a 134-116 defeat to defending champions Denver. New Orleans have now fallen to 4-3 on the season which places them fifth in a crowded West. This game against Minnesota is the second in a three game road trip which concludes with a matchup against the Rockets on Friday. The Pels will have to deal with the absence of one of their key players in CJ McCollum who suffered a partial collapsed lung. The 32-year-old vet missed the game against the Nuggets and will be out for the near future. They’ll certainly miss McCollum’s efficient scoring as he was the team’s leading scorer despite ranking third in overall usage rate.