Minnesota Timberwolves (32-27) vs. LA Lakers (35-21)
February 27, 2025 10:30 pm EDT
The Line: LA Lakers -5.5; Over/Under: 224.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the crypto.com Arena on Thursday night. Here’s a Lakers vs Timberwolves Prediction. This article will include a Lakers vs Timberwolves Pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves have cooled off lately as they’ve lost four of their last six games overall. However, they will be eager to build some momentum after snapping a two-game skid with an impressive 131-128 overtime road win over the Thunder on Monday. Jaden McDaniels led the team with 27 points, 10 rebounds and four assists on nine of 16 shooting, Naz Reid added 22 points with 11 rebounds and three assists while Nickeil Alexander-Walker chipped in with 21 points off the bench. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 45 percent from the field and nine of 32 from the 3-point line as they struggled for most of the game and looked to be in deep trouble when they trailed by 25 points. But they came to life with 41 points in the fourth quarter and held the Thunder to just seven points in overtime to pull off their best comeback win of the season. The Wolves will take on the Jazz and Suns after this game.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in red-hot form as they’ve won 13 of their last 16 games overall and they will be gunning for a fourth straight victory after outlasting the Mavericks in a 107-99 home win on Tuesday. LeBron James led the team with 27 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, Austin Reaves added 20 points with five assists while Luka Doncic tallied a triple-double of 19 points with 15 rebounds and 12 assists. As a team, the Lakers shot 44 percent from the field and 11 of 40 from the 3-point line as they came out swinging and were able to build a 16-point lead. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing as the Mavericks rallied back to tie the scores before the Lakers closed the final 5:10 on a 16-8 run to earn the grudge match for Doncic against his former team.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The favorites have won each of the last 13 games between the Timberwolves and Lakers.
- The Timberwolves have lost each of their last six games at Crypto.com Arena after coming off overtime.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the last five games between the Timberwolves and Lakers.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games after coming off overtime.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won 12 of their last 13 games as underdogs when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Lakers have lost each of their last three games as favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last 15 games as underdogs when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Timberwolves’ last seven games against the Lakers following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Lakers’ last five night games on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Lakers vs Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves have ruled out Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert once again with Anthony Edwards listed as questionable, while the Lakers are expecting to come in with the same squad. This is definitely a game where you should check the lineups before tipoff given the dark injury cloud hanging over the Timberwolves. You can’t always count out the Timberwolves as we saw in their comeback win over the Thunder on Monday. But with the line so short, I have to back the Lakers to get the job done at home against a Timberwolves team who are already missed so many key players.
