Timberwolves take third-best defense to New Orleans without Edwards

The Minnesota Timberwolves (6-3), without Anthony Edwards, visit the New Orleans Pelicans (4-4) on Friday night, with the league's third-best defense set against an offense built on drives and free throws.

Minnesota allows 103.9 points per 100 possessions, and its net rating of 10.8 ranks second. Opponents post an effective field goal percentage of 49.9, fourth-lowest in the NBA.

New Orleans takes the fewest threes in the league and ranks third in free throw rate at 0.361, so its offense lives on drives and contact. Minnesota ranks 11th at keeping opponents off the line.

Zion Williamson carries that plan. He averages 21.5 points on 60.2% shooting and leads the Pelicans with 2.5 steals a game.

The glass is the second front. Minnesota grabs 31.7% of its own misses, fourth in the league, and Rudy Gobert averages 11.9 rebounds, 4.3 of them on the offensive end. New Orleans has the seventh-best defensive rebounding rate.

Turnovers could tilt the game. The Pelicans give the ball away on 14.1% of their possessions, 24th in the league, and Minnesota's LaMelo Ball averages 1.9 steals and 5.9 assists.

Edwards, who averaged 33.3 points in his four games, is out and expected back Monday, December 21. Donte DiVincenzo, who plays 30.5 minutes a night, is also out until Friday, April 2. Terrence Shannon Jr. is questionable.

The Pelicans lose rim protection. Yves Missi, who blocked two shots a game in two appearances, is out until Monday, November 9. Trey Murphy III and Julian Reese are probable; Jaron Pierre Jr. and Malik Dia are doubtful.

New Orleans' run includes a 135-134 win at Memphis and a 121-99 rout of Atlanta. Minnesota has won two straight, the latest 117-107 at Houston.

Tip-off is at 8 p.m. ET. Sportsbooks' prices give Minnesota a 62% chance to win. Keel's projection, built from the players available, puts the Timberwolves at 63% and 4.2 points better.