Minnesota Timberwolves @ New Orleans Pelicans

Edwards absence elevates Minnesota’s secondary creators

Anthony Edwards remains out following right knee arthroscopy, leaving Minnesota to rely more heavily on LaMelo Ball, Jonathan Kuminga and other rotation pieces. Chris Finch wants Ball to be more aggressive as both a scorer and playmaker, while Ball recently produced a season-high 34 points after feeling great, though defensive pressure and foul trouble remain risks.

Kuminga has a clearer perimeter mandate

Kuminga tied his career high with four threes against Houston, and Finch has explicitly told him to take the open threes that come his way. That instruction matters more with Minnesota short-handed, even though Kuminga previously described the spread-out offense as limiting him to 10 or fewer attempts.

New Orleans momentum meets a compressed rotation

The Pelicans’ four-game winning streak reflects recent resilience, but their current roster context is less stable than the streak suggests. Jordan Poole is out with a left quad strain, while Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III and Bryce McGowens are listed for injury management or limited availability, forcing more responsibility onto young contributors.

Pelicans availability creates matchup uncertainty

Yves Missi is out and Trey Murphy III is probable after his tendinopathy absence, with reports saying he should be okay and describing a decisive catch-and-shoot or downhill role. Zion’s availability and workload also require attention, but the freshest player signal favors his scoring upside because he acknowledged playing conservatively and has been told to attack more as New Orleans’ face.

Fears is carrying New Orleans’ offense

Jeremiah Fears has followed a 40-point breakout with 36 points and is averaging 36.0 points across his last two games, making him the clearest beneficiary of New Orleans’ injury-driven usage shift. Coach James Borrego has encouraged his confidence and kept him on the floor for a career night, while the compressed rotation also increases volatility among secondary scorers.

Pick Ideas

Angles drawn from the matchup analysis above and refreshed as the news changes. They are a separate read from the LineCrush pick for this matchup, so the two can land on different sides.

Jeremiah Fears points over

Fears’ points over is supported by New Orleans’ compressed rotation, with Poole out and several other major contributors unavailable or limited. His recent 36.0-point average over two games and Borrego’s willingness to keep him on the floor give him the clearest path to another high-usage performance against Minnesota.

Zion Williamson points over

If Zion is cleared for a normal workload, his points over fits the Pelicans’ need for primary scoring amid their depth crisis. He has admitted he can play conservatively but attacks when teammates tell him to go, and the current team messaging increasingly positions him as the player New Orleans should turn to in important possessions.

LaMelo Ball points and assists over

Ball’s combined points and assists over is supported by Edwards’ absence and Finch’s direct request for greater aggression as a scorer and playmaker. His recent 34-point game and 41-point, 12-assist contribution with Ayo Dosunmu show the expanded offensive responsibility, although foul trouble and defensive doubles remain counterweights.

Jonathan Kuminga threes over

Kuminga’s three-point over is attractive because Finch is telling him to take every open three while Minnesota operates short-handed. He just tied his career high with four threes, and the Wolves are actively trying to create advantage looks for him, making his perimeter volume more actionable than the generic scoring angle.

Pelicans team total under at an inflated number

New Orleans’ team total deserves under consideration if the market prices in its recent winning streak or Fears’ scoring surge too aggressively. Poole’s absence and injury-management cases leave the Pelicans with reduced scoring depth, while the team report specifically cautions that the compressed rotation can suppress overall offensive output despite Fears’ hot run.