Pelicans vs Timberwolves tonight at Target Center, Wolves favored by 11.5

Trey Murphy’s historic night wasn’t enough as the Pelicans head to Minnesota tonight facing a stacked Timberwolves team favored by 11.5 points. New Orleans arrives at Target Center at 7:00 PM CST with momentum from Murphy’s franchise-record 12 three-pointers, but a challenging road awaits.

Murphy’s Historic Night Against Milwaukee Sets Stage for Tough Test

Trey Murphy III delivered one of the best shooting nights in NBA history just two days ago. Murphy tied Steph Curry for the most three-pointers in a single game this season with 12 made threes. He scored a career-high 44 points on 19 attempts from beyond the arc, joining an elite club with only eight players in league history to make 12 or more in one game.

That game against Milwaukee went to overtime, with the Pelicans ultimately falling short 141-137. Coach James Borrego emphasized the defensive breakdown after Murphy’s offensive showcase. Now Murphy and the Pelicans face a much stiffer defensive challenge against a Minnesota team built on elite perimeter and interior defense.

Timberwolves Dominate Season Series with Superior Talent

The Minnesota Timberwolves won both meetings earlier this season. In December, they squeezed out a tight 149-142 overtime victory in New Orleans, followed by a straightforward win days later. Those games showcased the Wolves’ superior depth and Anthony Edwards‘ dynamic scoring ability alongside Rudy Gobert’s defensive presence.

The Timberwolves are 32-20 on the season, holding the 5th seed in the Western Conference. Edwards just earned All-Star selection as a reserve, a testament to his fourth consecutive appearance and elevated play. The Wolves have built a roster capable of competing nightly with their two-way excellence.

Matchup Preview: Defensive Pressure Meets Offensive Explosiveness

Factor	Pelicans	Timberwolves
Record	13-40	32-20
Star Player	Trey Murphy III	Anthony Edwards
Key Defender	Herb Jones	Rudy Gobert
Recent Form	Murphy’s 44-point explosion	Dominant defensive identity

Minnesota’s defense allows 16.1 fewer points per 100 possessions when Rudy Gobert is on the court. His 71.7% field goal percentage leads the NBA while anchoring the paint with elite rim protection. Zion Williamson and the Pelicans will face an entirely different defensive challenge than they saw against Milwaukee.

The Pelicans are 14th in the Western Conference at 13-40, finishing their four-game road trip Friday night. They feature Saddiq Bey, Herb Jones, and Zion Williamson on the perimeter and inside, but lack the consistent depth of Minnesota.

Will Pelicans Find Offensive Flow Against Elite Timberwolves Defense

New Orleans comes into this game cold despite Murphy’s historic performance. The team’s 13-40 record reflects deeper structural issues beyond one or two players. Minnesota’s 149-142 overtime win in December showed the Timberwolves can match the Pelicans’ firepower while dominating defensively.

Anthony Edwards is poised for another strong performance tonight. He recently put up 30 points with 8 rebounds and 5 assists in February games, proving his All-Star selection is well-deserved. The Timberwolves’ confidence continues to build with each victory over struggling Western Conference rivals like New Orleans.

“It was our defense. Not enough resistance, point-of-attack defense was too weak, too soft. We’ve got to be better defensively.”

— James Borrego, Pelicans interim head coach after loss to Milwaukee

Can the Pelicans Upset the Timberwolves or Will Minnesota’s Dominance Continue Tonight?

The 11.5-point spread heavily favors Minnesota, with valid reason. The Timberwolves’ two-way excellence, Edwards’ All-Star caliber play, and Gobert’s historic defense create a formidable matchup problem. New Orleans can’t afford defensive breakdowns like they had against Milwaukee, especially when facing a team that punishes mistakes relentlessly.

Despite Murphy’s potential for another explosive shooting night, the Pelicans need role players Zion Williamson, Saddiq Bey, and Herb Jones to elevate their games significantly. The Timberwolves are too deep, too well-coached, and too motivated to allow a road team to steal victory at Target Center on Friday night.

Sources

• NBA.com: Pelicans vs Timberwolves injury report and game preview February 6, 2026
• ESPN: Trey Murphy 44 points and franchise-record 12 three-pointers against Bucks
• CBS Sports: Timberwolves defeated Pelicans twice in December, including overtime thriller