The Los Angeles Clippers (3-4) will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-4) at the Target Center. Tip is scheduled Friday evening for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Clippers at Timberwolves odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Clippers and Wolves played Wednesday with the Clippers pulling away behind a 45-point third quarter.
They just couldn’t miss. SF Paul George and PG Reggie Jackson combined for over 60 points. It was a terrific showing from a team that’s struggled out the gate.
With no PG D’Angelo Russell, the Wolves will again be handicapped. However, they do have C Karl-Anthony Towns. He’s one of the best big men in the NBA, averaging 23.9 points and 9.4 rebounds.
The Wolves are just 2-5 against the spread this season, marginally worse than the Clips 3-4 ATS record.
Clippers at Timberwolves odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Clippers -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Timberwolves +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Clippers -2.5 (-112) | Timberwolves +2.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 215.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Clippers at Timberwolves key injuries
Clippers
- SF Kawhi Leonard (knee) out
- SF Marcus Morris Sr. (knee) out
- PF Serge Ibaka (back) out
Timberwolves
- PG D’Angelo Russell (ankle) out
Clippers at Timberwolves odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Timberwolves 108, Clippers 106
Money line
BET on the TIMBERWOLVES +115 as the second night of back-to-back games against the same opponents typically isn’t easy to repeat the results of.
The Clippers won round 1.
Ask the Knicks, who gave the Magic their first win of the season, it’s not easy to win the second game against a team in the NBA. This should a similar situation, especially with the Wolves having competence.
Second-year F Anthony Edwards has been lighting up the scoreboard, averaging almost 24 points per game. He had 28 in the first meeting. He should look to have another strong showing on Friday.
The Clippers had scored under 100 in their three games prior to taking on Minnesota. While the Wolves defense is far from elite, the Clippers should regress to their mean, which isn’t shooting over 60 percent from the field.
Also, KAT had his second-worst scoring performance of the season, shooting his second-fewest free throws per game. He should bounce back as his mean is better than his Wednesday night performance.
Against the spread
PASS on the spread. I’d rather look back up to the money line in this once, especially considering we’re being given just two points of insurance.
If the Clippers pull away late like they did the two teams’ first outing, they’d cover that spread. If you feel better on the Clippers, the -2.5 is the way to go, but I’d rather put a small unit on the Wolves line.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 215.5 (-107) as the better side. Neither team has shown much consistency this season.
Their totals have been all over the place, easily covering Wednesday’s 212.5 line. We’re given three more points after that offensive onslaught. Prior to that, the Wolves were 0-6 on the total and the Clips were 1-5.
Both teams rank in the bottom ten in offensive rating. Give me the Under as the Clippers hitting over 60 percent Wednesday likely helped boost this number.
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