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

The Minnesota Timberwolves look to follow up a scintillating opening night performance with another win as they play host to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.

The Pelicans are already 0-2 on the young season and will be without Zion Williamson for a third consecutive game.

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

The Timberwolves demolished the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night behind an impressive defensive effort and the offensive performances of their three best players.

Minnesota has had two full days off at home and now prepares to take on the Pelicans twice over the next three days in the same building. New Orleans is also playing on the second night of a road back-to-back.

The Pelicans lost their opening night game at home against the Ben Simmons-less Philadelphia 76ers by 20 and followed that up with a 16-point road loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. They are without Williamson for the foreseeable future as he continues to recover from a foot injury.

New Orleans is led by Brandon Ingram, and after a curious offseason, the supporting cast is not quite what it was last season. Lonzo Ball is gone, and Devonte’ Graham came over from Charlotte in a sign-and-trade to take his spot. Josh Hart was re-signed, but he is listed as doubtful with a quadriceps issue after missing Friday’s game.

Minnesota Timberwolves odds vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The Wolves are favored by seven points over at WynnBet. It’s hard to argue with that line, given the Pelicans injury issues and the fact that they’re playing for the second time in 24 hours, but we’ll go a bit further and predict a 113-99 victory.

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

• Television: Bally Sports North
• Radio: 830 WCCO
• Stream: Fubo.tv offers streaming options

What to watch for in Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The Wolves played a near-perfect game on Wednesday against the Rockets, swarming on defense and running what was mostly a smooth offensive attack. They got to the free throw line, and after a 2-for-16 start from outside the arc, ended up shooting north of 41 percent on 3-point attempts for the game.

The Pelicans will rely heavily on Brandon Ingram, but in order to get a win, they’ll need to get something from either Graham or Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Otherwise, their backcourt will be extremely thin, especially if Hart does not play.

Jonas Valanciunas has traditionally given Karl-Anthony Towns some issues in the paint. Valanciunas signed a contract extension on opening day and then started the season with a miserable 3-for-19 shooting night n the loss to the Sixers. He backed that up with 18 points against the Bulls, however, and has pulled down a total of 20 rebounds over two games.

If Towns can avoid foul trouble going against the rugged Valanciunas and if the Wolves can hold down the Pelicans’ wings outside of Ingram, they should be in good shape to put this one away relatively easily.

Injury report for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Believe it or not, the Wolves have zero players listed on their injury report in advance of the game. Let’s hope it stays that way.

The Pelicans, on the other hand, are without Williamson and have also listed Hart as doubtful.

We’ll be back after the game with some thoughts and key takeaways. Here’s to 2-0!