Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview
The Lakers and Timberwolves are set to face off at 8:00 ET on BSN. The Timberwolves will host the game at Target Center in Minneapolis, MN.
The over/under for this game is set at 226.5 points, and the Timberwolves are the home favorites against the Lakers in a Western conference matchup. Check out BetCoco for Minnesota Timberwolves – Los Angeles Lakers odds
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The last ten head-to-head matchups between then Timberwolves and Lakers have gone in favor of the Timberwolves, putting together a record of 6-4. The last three times that the Timberwolves have hosted the Lakers, the over/under record is 0-3 with the teams combining for an average of 225 points. The over/under record in their last three overall matchups is 2-1.
- Los Angeles has a 1-2 record in their last three road games. In this stretch, they averaged 116 points per game while allowing 120. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
- Through their last three home contests, the Timberwolves offense has averaged 109 points per game while allowing an average of 118. Minnesota posted an overall record of 1-2 while going 1-2 ATS.
- Going back to their last five games as the underdog, the Lakers have a straight up record of 1-4. But, their mark vs the spread was just 2-3.
- As the betting favorite, the Timberwolves have an ATS mark of just 5-5 in their last ten games. Minnesota posted a straight up mark of 10-0 in these matchups.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
Heading into today’s game, the Lakers are 3.5-point underdogs vs. Minnesota. Before we look at their conference, division and overall records, let’s take a look at their stats for the season.
So far, Los Angeles has gone 17-15 this season after picking up a 133-112 win over the Hornets. The Lakers are also 8th in the Western Conference standings and 3rd in the Pacific Division.
Against the spread, the Lakers are 14-18, but they have covered the spread in two straight road games. This season, they have been the underdog in 12 of their 32 games and have gone 5-7 ATS in those games.
Los Angeles has an average scoring margin of -6.9 points per game on the road this season, and their road record is currently 6-11.
When looking at the Lakers’ over/under performance for the season, they are 17-15 compared to the average OU line of 229.3. Each of their last five games have finished above the OU lines for those games.
After scoring 133 points against the Hornets, the Lakers are above their season average of 114.7 points per game. When looking at their overall offensive numbers, the Lakers are shooting 48% from the field, which is 5th best in the league. From beyond the arc, the Lakers are 22nd in percentage and 28th in made three-pointers.
On defense, the Lakers come into the game ranked 15th in the league in points allowed at 114.5 per game. Over their last three games, the team is allowing 119.3 points per contest (29th). Los Angeles’ defense is currently forcing 13.5 turnovers per game, which is 20th in the league. Additionally, they enter the game ranked 13th in blocked shots, with an average of 5.5 rejections per game.
As the Timberwolves get ready to take on the Lakers, they are sitting in 1st place in the Western Conference at 23-7. If they are going to pick up another win today, they will need to win by at least 3.5 points, as they are the 3.5-point favorites at home.
Before today’s matchup, Minnesota has an over/under record of 17-13 for the season. Each of their last two games have surpassed today’s line of 226.5. In their previous game, they defeated the Mavericks by a score of 118-110, but fell short of the spread as 12-point favorites.
When playing at home, the Timberwolves have been the dominant force all season. They have the 2nd-best home record in the West at 13-1 and have won six straight at home. Their average scoring margin at home is +11.6 points per game, and they have gone 8-6 ATS at home.
Against other teams in the Western Conference, the Timberwolves have gone 16-4 compared to 7-3 in non-conference matchups. Coming into today’s game, Minnesota has each of their last two games vs. the Lakers have the betting favorite.
In their most recent game, the Timberwolves’ offense scored 118 points, which is in line with their season average of 113.4 points per game. Overall, the Timberwolves have a field goal percentage of 48%, which is the 6th best mark in the NBA. When it comes to three-pointers, they are 3rd in percentage and 21st in made three-pointers.
Not only do the Timberwolves’ overall defensive numbers look good, as they are 1st in the league in points allowed. Minnesota has also been playing well on defense of late, ranking 7th in the league over their last three games at 112.3 PPG allowed. In terms of two point field goal attempts, the Timberwolves defense has allowed a shooting percentage of 51.0% while allowing 34.4% from downtown.
Even though they are 3.5 point underdogs, we see the Lakers winning this game by a score of 116-115.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Betting Tips
- We like the Lakers on the moneyline (+141)
- The Lakers are also our pick on the spread at +3.5
- Projecting a combined 231 points, we like the over
Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report
- Karl-Anthony Towns – Knee – Questionable
- Jaylen Clark – Achilles – Out
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report
- Anthony Davis – Ankle – Questionable
- LeBron James – Left Knee – Questionable
- Gabe Vincent – Knee – Out
- Cam Reddish – Groin – Probable
