Fresh off a third consecutive victory to end their five-game home stand, the New Orleans Pelicans hit the road for the second leg of a daunting back-to-back against the Western Conference leading Minnesota Timberwolves.
So far, the Pelicans are 1-2 against Minnesota, though they did pick up a convincing 14-point win over the Wolves last month at the Smoothie King Center.
Neither team has been at full strength for any of the meetings this season, and that will continue tonight as the Pelicans are likely playing without Trey Murphy III for the third straight game. Murphy is dealing with tendinitis in his surgically repaired knee.
Both the Pelicans and Timberwolves come in having won seven of their last 10 games. And both are doing it with defense. During this 10-game run, the Pels rank second in the NBA in defensive rating (107.8) and Minnesota is fourth (111.3).
The big difference as of late has been the Pelicans’ improved offensive attack. New Orleans has posted an offensive rating of 121.0 with an overall net rating of 13.2. Only the Celtics have been better during that time.
New Orleans has been much more aggressive and successful in making shots from distance. During their three-game winning streak the Pelicans have found their stroke. Their 43% shooting places them fourth in the NBA over this stretch. Seven different players are shooting above 33% beyond the arc in those games, with Brandon Ingram leading the way at 63.6%. Herb Jones is over 50%. CJ McCollum is making almost five triples per game.
Keys to Victory
Keep Firing. The Pelicans have made 43 three pointers over their last three games, the second most over any three game period this season (48 between 12/17-12/21). Their attempts haven’t increased exponentially, but their accuracy has. New Orleans is shooting a sterling 43 percent from beyond the arc. They’ll have to make their outside shots tonight against a Timberwolves team that averages more than 12 three-pointers per game this season, and ranks fourth in 3P%.
Control Ant. Anthony Edwards is making his name as one of the elite players in the NBA. His profile and his game have continued to grow since his breakout performances with Team USA this summer. Edwards is averaging 26.3 points per game this season, and he has always played well against the Pelicans. In 12 career games against New Orleans he’s scored 25 or more eight times. Over his last six games versus the Pels he’s averaged 27.8 points, leading Minnesota to five wins and just one loss. Beating the Wolves starts with slowing down Anthony Edwards.
Zion Early and Often. After missing the first two matchups of the season, Zion Williamson came back with a vengeance in the last meeting. Williamson finished with a season-high 36 points (13-17 FG, 10-12 FT), and fully dominated the Minnesota front line. Zion should be fresh and ready to go after only playing 25 minutes on Tuesday night and he should be plenty motivated.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| New Orleans Pelicans | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| G – CJ McCollum | G – Mike Conley Jr. |
| G – Herb Jones | G – Anthony Edwards |
| F – Brandon Ingram | F – Jaden McDaniels |
| F – Zion Williamson | F – Karl-Anthony Towns |
| C – Jonas Valanciunas | C – Rudy Gobert |
Injuries
New Orleans Pelicans: Matt Ryan (right elbow surgery) is Out. Trey Murphy III (knee soreness) is Questionable.
Minnesota Timberwolves:Â Jaylen Clark (Achilles) is Out.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (20-14) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (24-8)
Season Series:
- Nov. 8: Timberwolves def. Pelicans, 122-101
- Nov. 18: Timberwolves def. Pelicans, 121-120
- Dec. 11: Pelicans def. Timberwolves, 121-107
- Jan. 3: Pelicans at Timberwolves
Where: Smoothie King Center
When: Jan. 3, 7:00 PM CT
Where to watch: Bally Sports New Orleans
Where to listen: WRNO 99.5
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I would say this is the worst referee crew in the NBA, but the next game with different refs will prove that to be incorrect. Both teams have reason to be unhappy.
This is Pels team I want to see rest of season. Zion was totally dominant tonight
Team has a very rough January, but this is a very promising start.