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Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Odds, injuries, what to watch for

By Dylan Jackson

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 03: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Jake Layman #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on March 03, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 03: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Jake Layman #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on March 03, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are up against the struggling New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, and will look to improve after a blowout loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been struggling to gain traction this season, starting with a poor 3-11 record – the worst in the Western Conference (second worst in the NBA). The New Orleans Pelicans are only 5-9 to start this season, a record that is low given the amount of talent that they have: particularly noting Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.

The Timberwolves will continue to be without Karl-Anthony Towns tonight (and will be without him for another full week following the game). Two of the Timberwolves’ three wins have come with Towns, and the team has won just a single game without him.

The Pelicans and Wolves have not yet met this season. New Orleans is one of the best rebounding teams in the league, and against a Minnesota Team without any solid rotation-level bigs, should have a pretty big night on the glass.

Minnesota Timberwolves odds vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The Action Network has the Timberwolves as eight-point underdogs against the Pelicans. New Orleans is fully healthy with the exception of rotational power forward Nicolo Melli.

TV and streaming info for the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Television: Fox Sports North
Radio: 830 WCCO

What to watch for in Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Timberwolves continue to struggle particularly in the paint – allowing a 10-block triple-double to Clint Capela on Friday night. The Pelicans have Steven Adams and Zion Williamson as well as two of the best rebounding guards in the NBA (Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart). There won’t be much that the team can do to stop that.

Anthony Edwards is in need of a scoring outbreak as well. He has struggled to find consistent ways to score (yes, the refs have not particularly helped him, either), but has shown flashes of becoming a really, really good wing player.

Malik Beasley has been the best Wolves’ player this season (of the ones that have played more than five games). The team needs D’Angelo Russell and any one of Culver/Edwards/Okogie to step up tonight.

Injury Report for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The Minnesota Timberwolves will be without Karl-Anthony Towns and Juan Hernangomez, who are both listed as out due to health and safety protocols. Rubio was listed as questionable on Friday night but should be expected to play.

Next. Malik Beasley's role in the Minnesota Timberwolves' offense. dark

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