Recent form is the story in Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, March 16. The Timberwolves have won 3 of their last 5, while the Pelicans have won 0.
How the Win Meter reads
The Win Meter reads the Timberwolves 64%, with a projected score of Minnesota Timberwolves 116, New Orleans Pelicans 113. The rating gap is 202 points in favor of the Timberwolves, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Pelicans on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 36 times in 100 games like this, the Pelicans would win.
The recent-form gap
The Timberwolves are 3-0 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +2.2. The Pelicans are 0-3 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -8.4.
The Timberwolves' best recent win was 131-106 on the road against MIA.
The Timberwolves were beaten 139-109 at home by SAS not long ago.
The Pelicans were beaten 144-118 on the road by BOS not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Timberwolves score 121 a game and allow 97.7. The Pelicans score 124.7 and allow 128. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 124.5 for the Timberwolves and 111.2 for the Pelicans, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Pelicans have been tough to score on, which should slow the Timberwolves.
The Pelicans should find points against the Timberwolves' defense, which has been giving up 97.7.
Injuries to watch
Out: Donte DiVincenzo (MIN), expected back Apr 2, 2027 and Yves Missi (NOP), expected back Nov 2, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Anthony Edwards (MIN). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Timberwolves lead 5-2, with the Timberwolves outscoring the Pelicans by an average of 8.9 points per game. The last meeting was NOP 126, MIN 132.