The Timberwolves will try to cover the spread at Target Center on Saturday when they get a visit from the Hornets in basketball action.

(Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news). The Timberwolves are 17-25 so far on the season, and 19-22-1 ATS vs. the number. The Hornets, meanwhile, are 15-31 and 26-20 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Minnesota go 21-21 and the Hornets go 24-22 on the totals.



View New Orleans vs Minnesota Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
For bettors going with the Timberwolves in this one, they were listed earlier as 2-point favorites on the betting line at Sportsbook. Totals bettors have seen that number set at 188 for Monday at shops such as Sportsbook.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Timberwolves - Hornets odds would favor the Timberwolves if the lines were set according to power ranks. Minnesota is rated No. 18 in our latest Odds Shark poll, while the Hornets sit at No. 25. Math models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 93-92 win for the Timberwolves.



How They Match Up:
When it comes to rebounds, the visiting Hornets rank No. 19 in the league with 41.6 per game. That compares with Minnesota’s No. 6 ranking in that category. The story is different when it comes to three-point shooting where Minnesota is the NBA’s No. 27-ranked team at 5.5 per game, while the Hornets rate No. 13 with 7.1 per contest.

Defensively, the Hornets feature the league's No. 15-rated defense on the road, giving up 99.3 points per game. Minnesota, meanwhile, comes in at No. 26 in the league in scoring at home.

Last time out for New Orleans, they were a 113-98 loser as they battled the Nuggets on the road. The Hornets failed to cover in the match as a 7.5-point underdog, while 211 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors. New Orleans got 21 points from Ryan Anderson but lost anyway 113-98 against the Nuggets on Friday at Pepsi Center.

In their last action, Minnesota was a 111-100 loser at home against the Lakers. They failed to cover the 2.5-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (211) was profitable news for OVER bettors. Minnesota suffered a 111-100 loss against Los Angeles on Friday, getting 18 points from Alexey Shved in a losing effort at Target Center.

Next up:
New Orleans home to Phoenix, Wednesday, February 6
Minnesota home to Portland, Monday, February 4