The Minnesota Timberwolves (12-8) aim to snap a three-game road skid against a desperate New Orleans Pelicans (3-18) squad mired in the Western Conference basement, desperate for a spark amid a nightmare start. Playing at the raucous Smoothie King Center, this matchup favors the Wolves’ elite defense and Anthony Edwards’ scoring punch, but the Pelicans’ home cooking and potential bounce-back energy could make it gritty. With Minnesota eyeing a top-4 seed push and New Orleans fighting irrelevance, expect Edwards to feast on a shorthanded Pelicans backcourt in a potential rout—unless CJ McCollum channels vintage form to keep it close.
Venue
Venue: Smoothie King Center, 1500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70112. Capacity: 17,850. This vibrant downtown arena, the Pelicans’ home since 2010, pulses with jazz-infused energy and Mardi Gras vibes, often turning into a fortress for underdogs. The court’s fleur-de-lis design and fan sections could amplify any Pelicans upset bid.
Tipoff: 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT). Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network North (Timberwolves local), Bally Sports New Orleans (Pelicans local), NBA League Pass (streaming). National spotlight via NBA TV potential, with pre-game analysis focusing on Minnesota’s road woes.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Southwest/Northwest Division Standings | Key Stats (PPG / Opp PPG / Net Rating) |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 12-8 | 7-3 Home / 5-5 Away | 2nd (Northwest, 2-2 div.) | 112.6 / 108.4 / +4.2 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 3-18 | 2-8 Home / 1-10 Away | 5th (Southwest, 0-4 div.) | 106.8 / 118.2 / -11.4 |
The Timberwolves sit comfortably in playoff contention with top-5 defensive efficiency, while the Pelicans’ dismal record reflects offensive stagnation (27th in PPG) and rebounding woes, turning every game into a survival test.
Recent Team Forms
Minnesota seeks redemption on the road, while New Orleans’ collapse continues unabated.
Timberwolves (2-3 in last 5): The Wolves stumbled with a 105-113 loss at Oklahoma City on November 29, but rebounded with a 125-112 home win over San Antonio on November 30. Prior: L vs. Boston (November 29 details pending, but narrow defeat), W vs. Portland (November 26), and L at Denver (November 24). Averaging 110.4 PPG in the stretch while holding foes to 109.6, turnovers (13.8 per game) have bitten them on the road (-7.2 net rating away). Edwards’ heroics (28.6 PPG last 5) keep them afloat, but ATS 1-4 signals fatigue.
Pelicans (0-5 in last 5): New Orleans’ nightmare deepened with a loss to the Lakers on November 30 (full highlights show a 112-98 defeat), following a road L at Golden State on November 29. Earlier skid: L vs. Warriors (November 27? Wait, sequence), L at Clippers (November 25), and L vs. Kings (November 23). They’ve scored a measly 102.2 PPG while leaking 120.4, with shooting slumps (41.2% FG) and rebounding deficits (-9.6 margin) plaguing them. Home form is brutal (2-8), but a desperation edge looms.
Injury Report
The Pelicans’ depth is ravaged by G League assignments and lingering issues, handing Minnesota a talent edge, though the Wolves monitor minor ailments. Updates as of December 1, 2025 (NBA official 8:30 PM ET report from
| Team | Player | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Timberwolves | Terrence Shannon Jr. (G) | AVAILABLE | Cleared for full contact after nine-game absence (undisclosed). | Boost to bench scoring (12.4 PPG); adds perimeter pop without rust risk. |
| Timberwolves | Enrique Freeman (F) | AVAILABLE | Face mask (no limitations). | Full go; minor cosmetic, no rotation hit. |
| Timberwolves | Leonard Miller (F) | QUESTIONABLE | Left ankle sprain (day-to-day; practiced lightly). | Depth forward (8.2 PPG); 70% chance—if out, Naz Reid minutes spike (+5 MPG). |
| Pelicans | Trey Alexander (G) | OUT | G League – Two-Way assignment. | Reserve guard; minor, but thins backcourt depth. |
| Pelicans | Hunter Dickinson (C) | OUT | G League – Two-Way assignment. | Backup big; exposes frontcourt if Valanciunas rests (team -6 RPG without). |
| Pelicans | Jordan Hawkins (G) | DAY-TO-DAY | Undisclosed (missed last two; re-eval post-practice). | Sharpshooter (11.6 PPG, 38% 3PT); 50% play chance—spacing killer if absent. |
| Pelicans | Zion Williamson (F) | PROBABLE | Right foot soreness (load management; played 28 MPG Nov. 30). | Star anchor (24.8 PPG); expected, but minutes cap at 30 if active. |
Pelicans’ absences compound their struggles, tilting paint battles Minnesota’s way.
Series History
This Northwest-Southwest clash dates to 2002 (post-Hornets relocation), with a near-even all-time ledger in 78 regular-season games: Pelicans 40-38 (.513 win%). New Orleans edged early matchups, but Minnesota has owned recent tilts.
Last 10 Meetings: Timberwolves 6-4, including a 134-93 blowout on March 21, 2025 (Edwards’ 42 points), but a 119-115 Pelicans W on March 19, 2025. Earlier: Wolves 104-97 W on January 7, 2025; Pelicans 117-106 W on January 3, 2024.
At Smoothie King Center: Pelicans 22-18 all-time vs. Wolves; Minnesota’s last win there: December 2023 (121-107).
Trends: Unders in 7 of last 10 (avg. 215.4 total); Timberwolves cover 7-3 as road favorites vs. NOP. Games trend high-scoring lately (3 overs in last 5).
History suggests a Wolves edge, but New Orleans’ home desperation adds intrigue.
Key Player Matchups
With Pelicans shorthanded, star power duels highlight Minnesota’s advantages:
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves G) vs. CJ McCollum (Pelicans G): Edwards’ explosiveness (27.4 PPG, 48% 3PT) overwhelms McCollum’s steady hand (19.2 PPG); expect 30+ from Ant if Hawkins sits—combined 45+ points likely.
Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves F/C) vs. Zion Williamson (Pelicans F, probable): Towns’ stretch-five game (22.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG) tests Zion’s bully ball (24.8 PPG); if Zion’s limited, KAT eyes 25-12 dominance in paint.
Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves C) vs. Jonas Valanciunas (Pelicans C): Gobert’s rim protection (2.4 BPG) clashes with Valanciunas’ physicality (12.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG); Wolves’ rebounding edge (+8 projected) seals boards.
Bench: Naz Reid (Timberwolves F) vs. Jose Alvarado (Pelicans G): Reid’s versatility (13.4 PPG off bench) exploits Alvarado’s grit (8.2 PPG, 2.1 SPG); second unit controls tempo.
Minnesota’s health tips these decisively.
Betting Trends
Trends: Public 68% on Timberwolves spread; sharps fading over (55% handle). Player props: Edwards O 26.5 pts (-115); Williamson O 22.5 pts (+105). Pelicans 1-4 ATS last 5; Wolves 5-5 ATS road.
Value on Wolves if Miller plays; under draws sharp action.
Game Odds
Minnesota Timberwolves – 10
New Orleans Pelicans 235
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 1, 2025
