15* NBA Friday No-Doubt Rout on New Orleans Hornets +1.5

Minnesota vs. New Orleans, 01/13/2012 20:00 EDT, Score: 87 - 80

Point Spread: +1½/-102 New Orleans

Sportsbook: 5Dimes

Result: Loss

The Minnesota Timberwolves have no business being a favorite at New Orleans tonight. While Minnesota has received a lot of hype from Ricky Rubio and company, they simply have not lived up to expectations. At the same time, the Hornets are a better team than they get credit for even with the loss of Chris Paul.

Minnesota is just 3-7 this season, which includes road losses at Toronto and Milwaukee. This is a team that was supposed to be improved with the additions or Rubio and Derrick Williams among others, but they simply have not clicked in the early going. It's going to take some time for this team to gel.

New Orleans is also 3-7, but they have played an absolute brutal schedule. Their last five games have come against Denver twice, Philly, Dallas and Oklahoma City. This team is battle-tested and will be looking forward to a "break" tonight with the lowly Timberwolves coming to town.

The Timberwolves are 5-24 ATS in their last 29 versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 3+ per game. Minnesota is 4-14 ATS in their last 18 games playing on 2 days rest. The Timberwolves are 8-21 ATS in their last 29 games as a road favorite of 0.5-4.5. Roll with the Hornets Friday.