The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night. Here’s a Lakers vs. Timberwolves prediction. This article will include a Lakers vs. Timberwolves pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been in great shape, as they’ve won eight of their last 10 games overall, but they will be looking to bounce back in this spot after having their five-game win streak halted by the Magic in a 119-92 home defeat on Saturday. Anthony Edwards led the team with 34 points on eight of 18 shooting, Julius Randle added 14 points with nine rebounds, and Rudy Gobert chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds. As a team, the Timberwolves shot just 36 percent from the field and nine of 40 from the 3-point line as they came out flat and scored just 20 points in the second quarter to trail by 10 points at halftime and things only got worse in the fourth quarter, where they managed just 14 points to get completely blown out. Donte DiVincenzo had a rough game as he finished scoreless on zero of six shooting, while Jaden McDaniels had a night to forget as he shot just three points on zero of nine shooting.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are starting to heat up again, as they’ve won five of their last six games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after routing the Knicks in a 110-97 win on Sunday. Luka Doncic led the team with 35 points, eight rebounds, and four assists; Austin Reaves added 25 points with five assists, while Rui Hachimura chipped in with 13 points and seven rebounds. As a team, the Lakers shot 43 percent from the field and 15 of 44 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 31 points in the first quarter to take a narrow lead into halftime, before they took control of the contest with a 22-11 run in the third quarter to start to pull away.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The underdogs have won each of the last three games between the Timberwolves and Lakers.
- The Timberwolves have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents following a loss.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in seven of the Timberwolves’ last eight games.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as favorites against Western Conference opponents.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won each of their last eight night games following a home loss.
- The Lakers have lost each of their last nine games at home as underdogs against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in eight of their last nine road games on the first leg of a back-to-back after losing as favorites.
Total Points Facts
- Ten of the Timberwolves’ last 11 games against Pacific Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Lakers’ last four home games against Northwest Division opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Luka Doncic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per game (32.5) this season.
- Luke Kennard ranks 1st amongst qualified players for 3P% (50.0%) this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.8%) this season.
- Anthony Edwards ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for points per game (29.6) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.6).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for field goal percentage this season (49.8%).
- The Timberwolves have used only seven different starting fives this season—the fewest in the league.
- The Timberwolves rank 2nd in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.8).
Lakers vs Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves are keeping an eye on Kyle Anderson, who is questionable with a knee injury, while the Lakers have listed LeBron James as questionable with an elbow injury. These teams have already clashed twice at the start of the season, with the Lakers winning both of those games, but a lot has happened since then and it’s the Timberwolves who enter this contest as the hotter team right now despite losing their last game. The Lakers looked good in their win over the Knicks on Sunday, but the Timberwolves haven’t played since Saturday and I think they will escape with a narrow win and cover on the road in this spot behind a big game from Edwards.