New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves 10/4/21 - NBA Picks & Predictions

The New Orleans Pelicans open their 2021-22 NBA preseason with a visit to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last season New Orleans was 30-42 and finished 13th in the Western Conference. During the offseason, New Orleans added Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, Willy Hernangomez and Kira Lewis Jr. was chosen 13th overall in the NBA draft. The biggest departures from New Orleans were Jrue Holiday, Derrick Favors and E'Twaun Moore.

New Orleans will be led in the backcourt by Lonzo Ball and the recently acquired Eric Bledsoe, while shooting forward Brandon Ingram will be joined by power forward Zion Williamson in front court, with offseason acquisition Steven Adams at center. Williamson is expected to dominate even more on the offensive end for New Orleans and he and Ingram are both expected to average over 20 points per game. New Orleans must improve its defense that last season was 21st in defensive efficiency.

Minnesota was 13th in the Western Conference at 23-49 last season. The Timberwolves had a quiet offseason until adding Patrick Beverley. Minnesota also added Taurean Prince in a trade with Cleveland that sent Ricky Rubio to the Cavaliers. Jarrett Culver and Juan Hernangomez were traded in the deal that brought Beverley to the Timberwolves. The biggest returning players for the Timberwolves are Anthony Edwards and leading scorer and leading rebounder Karl-Anthony Towns.

D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley, who both are expected to be fully recovered from injuries that hampered their 2020-21 seasons, will start in the backcourt for Minnesota while Edwards will join Jaden McDaniels at the forward spots and Towns will be the center. Minnesota must improve its defense that last season was 28th and the NBA allowing an average of 117.3 points per game.