Game Preview #36 – Timberwolves at Pelicans

The Wolves look to notch another win on the second night of a back-to-back in New Orleans. Can Anthony Edwards keep up his scorching hot pace to lead the Timberwolves to victory?

Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans
Date: January 7th, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM CST
Location: Smoothie King Center
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

The Wolves Look to Build Momentum Against the Pelicans

If there’s one thing the Timberwolves have perfected this season, it’s inconsistency. After two tough losses to elite competition in the Thunder and Celtics, the Wolves came back to Target Center and nearly let another game slip away before Anthony Edwards strapped the team to his back, scoring 37 points to will Minnesota past the Clippers. That win stopped a four-game skid and gave Wolves fans a glimmer of hope as we head deeper into January. Now, they face the Pelicans—a team that has been firmly rooted in the Western Conference basement with a record of 7-29.

It’s a golden opportunity for the Wolves to string together back-to-back wins, build momentum, and start banking some much-needed victories. But here’s the thing: if you’ve followed this team at all this season, you know “easy win” isn’t really in their vocabulary. So what do the Wolves need to do to avoid yet another disappointing letdown? Let’s dive into it.

Key #1: Stop Zion, or at Least Slow Him Down

When Zion Williamson is healthy, he’s a force of nature. Unfortunately for Wolves fans, Zion tends to show up against Minnesota. He’s like that friend who never RSVPs to a party but always arrives unannounced and eats all the good snacks. Zion’s combination of size, strength, and touch around the basket makes him a nightmare matchup for anyone, especially a team like the Wolves that’s struggled with defensive consistency in the paint.

Rudy Gobert, NazReid, and Julius Randle will all need to be on their A-game. The Wolves must protect the rim and force Zion into tough shots. If they can neutralize him—or at least contain him—they’ll be in great shape.

Key #2: Stay Mentally Locked In

We’ve seen this movie before. The Wolves roll into a matchup against an inferior opponent and immediately take their foot off the gas. The results? Losses to Portland, Toronto, and, most recently, Detroit. At this point, Wolves fans could create a drinking game out of “winnable games the Wolves find a way to lose.”

Tonight, Minnesota can’t afford to overlook the Pelicans. Back-to-backs are tough, sure, but this isn’t a schedule loss. This is a team Minnesota should beat, plain and simple. That requires staying sharp, playing with defensive intensity, and not letting bad habits creep in—no lazy closeouts, no careless turnovers, and definitely no stretches where the team forgets how to score.

Key #3: Avoid the Dreaded Droughts

Speaking of scoring, it’s been a rollercoaster. The Wolves have this baffling ability to go ice-cold for stretches that last five, six, sometimes seven minutes. It’s maddening. Against the Clippers, they erased a 19-point deficit in large part because Anthony Edwards decided to go full John Wick in the second half. But they can’t rely on Ant dropping 37 every night.

Chris Finch needs to manage rotations carefully. Staggering Edwards and Randle so there’s always a primary scorer on the floor is crucial. The offense flows best when there’s ball movement, spacing, and players willing to attack the rim. Hero ball and stagnant possessions are a recipe for disaster.

Key #4: Lean on Ant (but Not Too Much)

Anthony Edwards is playing out of his mind right now. After a quiet stretch against the Spurs, Thunder, and Celtics, he’s exploded for 90 points in the last two games. He tied Karl-Anthony Towns’ franchise record for most points in a two-game span and put the Wolves on his back against the Clippers, scoring 15 straight points in the fourth quarter.

But while it’s tempting to just let Ant cook, the Wolves need balance. Randle has been inconsistent, and Gobert’s offensive contributions are limited, but the supporting cast—players like Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, and Jaden McDaniels—needs to step up. Ant can’t do it all.

Key #5: Take Advantage of the Schedule

The Pelicans are bad. Like, “winning seven games by January” bad. This is a game the Wolves should win, especially considering what’s on the horizon. After tonight, Minnesota faces Orlando and Washington—two more winnable games—before diving headfirst into a brutal January schedule that includes matchups with the Knicks, Cavaliers, and Nuggets.

Every game matters in the Western Conference, where the standings are tighter than the plot of a Knives Out movie. The Wolves are currently sitting in the ninth spot, just a game over .500. With a few more wins, they could climb into the top six and avoid the play-in altogether. But that requires beating the teams you’re supposed to beat, starting with New Orleans.

Final Thoughts

The Wolves have been the poster child for missed opportunities this season. They’ve blown leads, dropped winnable games, and struggled to find consistency. But there’s still hope. This team is incredibly talented, and Anthony Edwards is playing like a bona fide superstar.

Tonight’s game against the Pelicans is more than just a chance to grab another win. It’s an opportunity to build momentum, correct bad habits, and start climbing the standings. If the Wolves show up, play smart, and avoid their usual pitfalls, they’ll leave New Orleans with a victory and some much-needed confidence.

Let’s hope Ant keeps his cape on and the Wolves give us another performance worth celebrating.