Minnesota at New Orleans

Minnesota has been playing better defense, allowing 92, 104, and 101 points in three of their last five games. The UNDER is 22-8 after the Timberwolves score 100 points or more in their previous game. They have a game on deck tomorrow, too, and Minnesota is 8-3-1 UNDER the total working on one day of rest. Can't see Minnesota wanting to go uptempo early on with so few healthy players. They are without Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic, Shabazz Muhammad, Kevin Garnett, and Anthony Bennett. Kevin Martin, the team's leader with 20.2 points per game, is questionable after missing the last three contests with a strained left hamstring. New Orleans is good on defense, 13th in the NBA in points allowed, plus 10-3 UNDER the total against a team with a losing record. New Orleans plays its best defense at home, 4-1 UNDER at home, and when these teams meet the UNDER is 7-3 on this court. Play the First Half UNDER the total here.