Minnesota at New Orleans

Nothing about the Hornets’ 5-16 mark through 21 games motivates a play-on, as they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. I'm not going to tout the Hornets as a playoff-caliber team here, but considering the schedule they have played, they are certainly better than their record. The Hornets have played 14 of their 21 games vs. teams with a better record than Minnesota. Those 14 teams have a combined 205-97 record, meaning 67% of their schedule has been against teams with a combined winning percentage of .679. Minnesota has certainly not been at their best vs. bad teams, as they are 7-16 ATS in their last 23 vs. a team with a losing record. Play on New Orleans in this one.