The Minnesota Timberwolves (13-8) aim to capitalize on a three-game winning streak when they face the struggling New Orleans Pelicans (3-19) on Thursday, December 4, 2025, in a quick turnaround from Tuesday’s overtime thriller. Sitting sixth in the Western Conference, the Timberwolves are surging with balanced scoring from Anthony Edwards (29.8 PPG) and Julius Randle (22.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG), but their road defense has been leaky (6-5 away, allowing 118.2 PPG). The Pelicans, dead last in the West with the league’s worst record, are mired in a four-game skid after a 149-142 OT loss to Minnesota on Tuesday, where they showed fight but crumbled under injuries and turnovers (12 in OT). New Orleans ranks 28th in defensive rating (123.3 points allowed) and 25th offensively (112.6 PPG), but flashes from Trey Murphy III (20.4 PPG) and Derik Queen (11.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG) keep them competitive in bursts. This back-to-back set could expose the Pelicans’ depth issues further, while Minnesota eyes a sweep to solidify their playoff positioning amid a favorable schedule stretch.
Venue Location
The contest tips off at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, at 1500 Poydras Street in the Central Business District. Opened in 1999 as the New Orleans Arena (renamed in 2014), this 17,800-seat arena is a hub for Pelicans games.
Tipoff: 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network North (Timberwolves local), Gulf Coast Sports (Pelicans local), NBA TV (national), and streaming on Fubo or NBA League Pass (out-of-market access, subject to blackouts).
Injury Report
The Pelicans’ injury crisis deepens their woes, with six key players sidelined or questionable, forcing reliance on G League call-ups and rookies. Minnesota enters fully healthy, a stark contrast that amplifies their edge. Updates as of Wednesday night:
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details |
| Timberwolves | No major injuries | – | – | Fully healthy; Edwards, Randle, and Gobert all available after Tuesday’s OT win. |
| Pelicans | Dejounte Murray | PG | Out (Season) | Right Achilles rupture; season-ending injury from February, averaging 18.5 PPG pre-injury. |
| Pelicans | Herb Jones | SF | Out | Right calf strain; missed seven straight, elite defender (1.8 SPG) sorely missed. |
| Pelicans | Jordan Poole | SG | Out | Left quad strain; sidelined two weeks, limited to seven games (15.2 PPG). |
| Pelicans | Zion Williamson | PF | Out | Right adductor strain; sparse appearances (10 games, 22.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG); doubtful return before late December. |
| Pelicans | Yves Missi | C | Out | Right foot/ankle soreness; rookie rim protector out multiple games. |
| Pelicans | Karlo Matkovic | C | Questionable | Right calf strain; missed eight straight but progressing. |
| Pelicans | Trey Murphy III | SG/SF | Questionable | Torn right labrum; played Tuesday (33 PTS, 15 REB) but monitored closely. |
| Pelicans | Brandon Boston | SG | Out | Left ankle stress reaction; out indefinitely. |
| Pelicans | Lester Quinones | SG | Out | G League two-way; not elevated. |
New Orleans’ rotation is down to eight players, elevating Jeremiah Fears (15.4 PPG) and Saddiq Bey (double-figures lately). Minnesota’s depth allows rest if needed on the second night of a back-to-back.
Player Matchups
With New Orleans depleted, Minnesota’s stars should dominate, but the Pelicans’ youth could force adjustments. Key battles:
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves) vs. Jeremiah Fears (Pelicans)
Edwards’ explosion (44 PTS Tuesday, 29.8 PPG season avg., 5 straight 30+ games) tests Fears, the rookie PG stepping up sans Murray (15.4 PPG, 2.7 APG). Edwards shot 50% Tuesday; Fears’ speed helps, but Minnesota’s wings (McDaniels) trap him. Edge: Edwards—expect 35+ in a revenge spot for the Pelicans’ home crowd.
Julius Randle (Timberwolves) vs. Saddiq Bey (Pelicans)
Randle’s versatility (22.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 8 PTS in OT Tuesday) meets Bey’s defense (double-figures scoring, 1.2 SPG). Without Williamson, Bey starts at PF but struggles vs. physicality (Pelicans -2.0 RPG margin). Randle’s 16 PTS Tuesday showed control. Edge: Randle—his passing exploits switches for 20+ PRA.
Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves) vs. Derik Queen (Pelicans)
Gobert’s paint dominance (26 PTS, 13 REB Tuesday; 12.5 RPG season) faces Queen’s rebounding (11.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 21 PTS Tuesday). With Missi/Matkovic out, Queen starts at C but ranks low in defensive rebound % (Pelicans last in paint D). Edge: Gobert—+10 rebound edge projected, anchoring Minnesota’s No. 11 DRTG.
Team Records
Minnesota’s consistency shines (13-8, .619 win%), with a +5.2 differential (120.6 PPG scored, 115.4 allowed; 5th in ORTG). They’re 7-3 home but 6-5 road. New Orleans’ nightmare (3-19, .136) features a -10.7 differential (112.6 PPG, 123.3 allowed; 28th DRTG), 2-10 home and 1-9 away.
Recent Team Forms
The Timberwolves are 6-4 in their last 10, averaging 119.9 PPG while allowing 114.2 (+5.7 differential). Wins over Boston (119-115), San Antonio (125-112), and New Orleans (149-142 OT) highlight Edwards’ scoring (30.9 PPG last 12), but losses to OKC (105-113) and Sacramento (112-117) exposed late-game turnovers (14.9/game). They’re 10-1 vs. sub-.500 teams.
The Pelicans are 1-9 in their last 10, posting 113.8 PPG but yielding 122.6 (-8.8 differential). Their lone win: vs. Bucks (129-126). Losses like Tuesday’s OT heartbreaker (Murphy’s 33-15) and vs. Lakers (121-133) underscore rebounding woes (44.1 RPG, -2.0 margin) and poor 3PT D (allowing 14.9 made/game).
| Last 10 Games | Record | PPG | OPP PPG | Key Win | Key Loss |
| Timberwolves | 6-4 | 119.9 | 114.2 | vs. Celtics (119-115) | @ Thunder (105-113) |
| Pelicans | 1-9 | 113.8 | 122.6 | vs. Bucks (129-126) | vs. Timberwolves (142-149 OT) |
Series History
All-time, it’s near-even (Pelicans 40-39 in 79 games), but Minnesota has owned recent tilts, winning 4 of the last 5 (+6.2 average margin). Tuesday’s 149-142 OT victory gives them a 1-0 series lead this season. At Smoothie King, Pelicans are 1-2 vs. MIN last three. High-scoring trend: Last five averaged 226.4 points (Over in 3/5).
| Date | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Dec. 2, 2025 | MIN Win | 149-142 (OT) | Edwards: 44 PTS |
| Mar. 22, 2025 | MIN Win | 134-93 | Gobert: 18 PTS, 15 REB |
| Mar. 20, 2025 | NOP Win | 119-115 | Murphy: 28 PTS |
| Jan. 8, 2025 | MIN Win | 104-97 | Edwards: 26 PTS |
| Jan. 3, 2024 | NOP Win | 117-106 | Williamson: 27 PTS, 10 REB |
Betting Trends
Timberwolves are 9-12 ATS (42.9%), but 6-4 ATS last 10 and 2-3 as 10+ favorites. Pelicans are 13-9 ATS (59.1%), covering 6/8 last but 7-5 ATS home. Overs hit 11/21 MIN games (52.4%) and 12/22 NOP (54.5%); H2H averaged 235.4 (Over 4/5).
Trends: Timberwolves 4-6 ATS road; Pelicans 10-9-2 ATS overall, 2-8 SU last 10.
Game Odds
Minnesota Timberwolves – 11.5
New Orleans Pelicans 232.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 3, 2025
