Pelicans vs. Timberwolves Prediction and Odds: Take Advantage of Movement Towards the Under

The Minnesota Timberwolves host the New Orleans Pelicans for the second straight game. Both teams have started the season in opposite directions; Minnesota is 2-0 while the Pelicans are 0-3 as they await the eventual return of Zion Williamson.

How should we handicap this second consecutive meeting between these two Western Conference foes?

Here are the odds, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Pelicans vs. Timberwolves Odds

Spread:

• Pelicans: +5.5 (-110)

• Timberwolves: -5.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Pelicans: +185

• Timberwolves: -225

Total:

• 225.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

This is a curious line. The Pelicans covered by a half-point on Saturday night in a low scoring affair, losing by seven to Minnesota, but now this line has dropped two points?

Sure, there may be some familiarity between the two teams after playing a few nights ago, and there are some positive indicators for the Pelicans to stay close with Minnesota, but this Pelicans team has struggled on the offensive end, combining for 99 points through three games.

The team trailed by two after three quarters, so this was a competitive matchup for much of the game, but the team was +13 on the glass. If New Orleans can clean up their decision making, -9 in turnovers with a ghastly 28 TO's on Saturday night, they can stay in this one again. However, shot making is ultimately their fatal flaw. The team hit nine of their 40 three-point attempts against. Minnesota.

Again, this team is missing their best player and are well short on talent compared to the Timberwolves, who have the likes of Karl Anthony-Towns and Anthony Edwards.

I'm going to stay away form the spread because I can see the Pelicans getting a handful of threes to fall with some positive variance. That leads me to the over. After combining for 185 points on Saturday, I see both offense finding more success in the second leg of this mini series.

This total dropped three points from Saturday after the low scoring affair, but I'll come back the other way and take the over.

Pick: Over 225.5