New Orleans @ Minnesota picks

Jose Alvarado has attempted 5.2 shots from downtown per game this season, a significant increase from his 3.7 rate last season. The Pelicans have played at the 6th-quickest tempo in the NBA over the last 25 games without the home court advantage. The Timberwolves have played at the 10th-fastest pace-of-play in the NBA over the last 5 games in their home stadium, which should lead to increased opportunities for the Pelicans. Offensive rebounds save possession and bring about bonus opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Pelicans rank 4th-best in in the league with 13.4 offensive boards per game over the last 15 games.

The Pelicans have played at the 6th-quickest tempo in the NBA over the last 25 games without the home court advantage. The Timberwolves have played at the 10th-fastest pace-of-play in the NBA over the last 5 games in their home stadium, which should lead to increased opportunities for the Pelicans. Offensive rebounds save possession and bring about bonus opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Pelicans rank 4th-best in in the league with 13.4 offensive boards per game over the last 15 games.

Rudy Gobert has been on the court for 33.0 minutes per game this year, seeing the court more than most players in the league: 90th percentile. The Minnesota Timberwolves have played at the 10th-quickest pace-of-play in the league over the last 5 games playing at home. The Pelicans have played at the 6th-fastest pace in the league over the last 25 games on the road, which should boost possessions for the Timberwolves. Offensive rebounds retain possession and produce extra opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Timberwolves rank 3rd-best in in the NBA when playing at home with 13.3 offensive rebounds per game over the last 20 games. Rudy Gobert will hold the home court advantage in this contest. Playing on your home court tends to raise player production across the board.

Among all players in the league, Zion Williamson rates in the 93rd percentile for personal fouls, putting up a monstrous 2.7 fouls per game this year. The New Orleans Pelicans check in as the 6th-lowest scoring offense in the NBA while playing on the road this year. This year, the opposing team's starting SFs have averaged 40.6% on shots from the field (3rd-lowest in the NBA) against the Timberwolves, making this a hard matchup. The matchup vs. the Timberwolves is a hard one for getting to the foul line; the other team's starting SFs have attempted a measly 2.4 free throws per game this year (10th-least in the league). Zion Williamson will not enjoy the benefit of the home court advantage in this contest. Playing away from your home city tends to decrease player performance in all stat categories.

Naz Reid has attempted 14.6 shots from the field per game over the last 15 games while at home, 2.3 more than he's attempted over the course of the year at home. Naz Reid has attempted 8.1 3-pointers per game over the last 10 games on his home court, 2.0 higher than he's attempted over the course of the season at home. Naz Reid has been on the court for 33.1 minutes per game over the last 15 games, 5.1 higher than he's been on the court for over the course of the year. The Minnesota Timberwolves have played at the 10th-quickest pace-of-play in the league over the last 5 games playing at home. The Pelicans have played at the 6th-fastest pace in the league over the last 25 games on the road, which should boost possessions for the Timberwolves.

Anthony Edwards has put up 5.1 defensive rebounds per game this year, putting him in the 90th percentile -- among the league's best by this metric in recent games. Anthony Edwards has played 36.4 minutes per game this year, seeing the court more than most players in the league: 98th percentile. The Minnesota Timberwolves have played at the 10th-quickest pace-of-play in the league over the last 5 games playing at home. The Pelicans have played at the 6th-fastest pace in the league over the last 25 games on the road, which should boost possessions for the Timberwolves. Offensive rebounds retain possession and produce extra opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Timberwolves rank 3rd-best in in the NBA when playing at home with 13.3 offensive rebounds per game over the last 20 games.