Timberwolves vs. Pelicans odds, line, start time: 2023 NBA picks, April 9 predictions from proven model
The Minnesota Timberwolves will square off against the New Orleans Pelicans at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday at the Target Center. Minnesota is 41-40 on the season, while New Orleans is 42-39 and both could see their seed in the Western Conference swing dramatically with a win and some help. The Timberwolves are currently the No. 9 seed but could move as high as No. 7 with a win. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are the No. 8 seed but could move as high as No. 5 and out of the NBA play-in tournament with a win and losses by the Lakers, Warriors and Clippers.
The Timberwolves are favored by 2.5 points in the latest Timberwolves vs. Pelicans odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under is set at 227. Before entering any Pelicans vs. Timberwolves picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions from the model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters the final week of the 2022-23 NBA regular season a stunning 71-36 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on Pelicans vs. Timberwolves. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for Timberwolves vs. Pelicans:
- Timberwolves vs. Pelicans spread: Timberwolves -2.5
- Timberwolves vs. Pelicans money line: Minnesota -145, New Orleans +122
- Timberwolves vs. Pelicans over/under: 227 points
- Timberwolves vs. Pelicans picks: See picks here
Why the Pelicans can cover
New Orleans certainly has plenty to play for with a win setting the Pelicans up to potentially get out of the 2023 NBA play-in tournament and straight into the actual postseason. The Pelicans will be without Zion Williamson, who has only played in 29 games all season while battling injuries.
However, they will have CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas available and they're one of the hottest teams in the NBA with wins in nine of their last 11 games. New Orleans is also 8-2-1 against the spread during that span and is 2-1 overall this season against Minnesota.
Why the Timberwolves can cover
The Timberwolves have lost two of their three head-to-head meetings with the Pelicans this season but they did manage to cover the spread in two of those three contests. That includes a 111-102 win as 2.5-point road underdogs in the most recent matchup on Jan. 25 without Karl-Anthony Towns in the lineup.
Anthony Edwards had 37 points in that victory and now the Timberwolves will have Towns back, as he's played in each of the team's last five games. The three-time NBA All-Star has had at least 20 points in four of those five contests and he should play a pivotal role on Sunday.
How to make Pelicans vs. Timberwolves picks
The model has simulated Timberwolves vs. Pelicans 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Over, and it's also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in almost 60% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
