Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves were one of the streakiest teams all season, but they are coming into this one with plenty of momentum after winning 17 of their last 21 regular season games to finish with a 49-33 overall record. Anthony Edwards played 79 games and led the team with averages of 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Julius Randle averaged 18.7 points with 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. Naz Reid averaged 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
Rudy Gobert averaged 12.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. As a team, the Timberwolves scored 114.3 points per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from the 3-point line, but the Timberwolves’ success was more about their defense, where they ranked sixth in the league.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers had to endure plenty of drama this season, but they are coming into these playoffs with plenty of optimism after winning six of their last nine games in the regular season. They finished with a 50-32 overall record. LeBron James led the team with averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. Austin Reaves enjoyed a career season with averages of 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. But the biggest headline is still the trade of Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic who has fit in nicely with averages of 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. As a team, the Lakers are scoring 113.4 points per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from the 3-point line.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The favorites have won each of the last 14 games between the Timberwolves and Lakers.
- The Timberwolves have lost each of their last five playoff games at Crypto.com Arena.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the last six games between the Timberwolves and Lakers.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five playoff games.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won each of their last five playoff games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Lakers have lost each of their last three playoff games as home favorites.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last six Western Conference First Round games.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three playoff games as favorites.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- LeBron James ranks 1st amongst qualified Forwards for assists per game (8.2) this season.
- Luka Doncic is one of only four players to have recorded a 40+ point triple-double this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 1st in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (66.9%) this season.
- Anthony Edwards ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (4.1) this season.
Lakers vs Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves are coming into this one with a full squad, while the Lakers are still missing Maxi Kleber and Rui Hachimura. These two squads met four times in the regular season with each team winning at home and three of those games were decided by 10 points or fewer, so we could be in for a long playoff series here. The Timberwolves are more than capable of pulling off the upset on the road, but I just don’t think we’re getting enough points from the bookies in this one. The Lakers could struggle if they have an off night from behind the arc, but I think they can draw first blood at home behind big games from Doncic and James in this spot.