Minnesota Timberwolves vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Prediction - Dec. 4 | 2025-26 NBA Season

The Minnesota Timberwolves will face the New Orleans Pelicans in one of five NBA matchups scheduled for Thursday. This will be the second game of the 2025-26 season between the teams. The Timberwolves took a 1-0 series lead with a win on Tuesday.

Minnesota (13-8) is sixth in the Western Conference and holds a record of 6-4 in its last 10 games. The team has relied on Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 29.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Julius Randle has also been key, recording 22.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 6.0 apg.

The Pelicans (3-19), meanwhile, are 15th in the West and have lost their last four games. It has been a difficult season for the team with Zion Williamson being sparsely available due to injuries.

He has been solid when active, averaging 22.1 points and 5.6 rebounds. Trey Murphy III has also been a bright spot for New Orleans, recording 20.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 3.3 apg.

---

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans game details

The Timberwolves-Pelicans game is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET from Smoothie King Center. Fans can catch the live broadcast of the matchup on FDSN, Gulf Coast Sports, and Pelicans+. Alternatively, the game can be streamed with NBA League Pass and FuboTV.

---

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans betting lines

Moneyline: Timberwolves (-475) vs. Pelicans (+350)

Spread: Timberwolves (-9.5) vs. Pelicans (+9.5)

Total (O/U): Timberwolves (o235.5) -105 vs. Pelicans (u235.5) -115

Note: Odds are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change closer to tipoff.

---

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans preview

The Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans have been pretty even in their head-to-head history. The Pelicans have won 40 out of 79 regular-season games between the teams. Their last matchup on Tuesday ended in a 149-142 overtime loss for New Orleans.

Minnesota enters Thursday’s game on a three-game winning streak, while their opponents have lost four in a row.

---

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans predicted starting lineups

Timberwolves

G: Donte DiVincenzo | G: Anthony Edwards | F: Jaden McDaniels | F: Julius Randle | C: Rudy Gobert

Pelicans

G: Jeremiah Fears | G: Trey Murphy III | F: Saddiq Bey | F: Micah Peavy | C: Derik Queen

---

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans betting tips

Anthony Edwards has an over/under of 29.5 against the Pelicans. Edwards has been one of the best players in the league this season and is on a roll, recording 37.8 points in his last five. Taking the over is the safer bet.

Meanwhile, Derik Queen has an over/under of 15.5 against the Timberwolves. Queen had a solid outing in a 149-142 loss against Minnesota on Tuesday.

He finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists, shooting 8-for-15. Queen has been growing into his increased role in the lineup and could hit the over on Tuesday.

---

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans prediction

Bookmakers have the Timberwolves as favorites to win Thursday’s game against the Pelicans. New Orleans was out of answers for Anthony Edwards and Co. on Tuesday. It’s hard to imagine things going differently in the upcoming matchup.

Our prediction: The Timberwolves to win.