The Los Angeles Lakers (7-5) host the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-7) Friday at Staples Center for a 10:30 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we look at the Timberwolves vs. Lakers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.
Minnesota has lost six consecutive games, four of which by double digits. The T-Wolves are 2-8 ATS and 3-7 O/U with the 25th-ranked net rating (minus-4.7).
Two of Minnesota’s wins were the first two games of the season, and the T-Wolves were at home against teams ranked lower than them in net efficiency.
L.A. has won four of its past six games including back-to-back three-point overtime wins at home over the Charlotte Hornets Monday and the Miami Heat Wednesday. The Lakers are 4-8 ATS and 7-5 O/U with the 20th-ranked net rating (minus-0.6).
The Lakers have won and covered in all four meetings with the T-Wolves since acquiring Anthony Davis.
Timberwolves at Lakers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Timberwolves +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Lakers -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Timberwolves +3.5 (-108) | Lakers -3.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Timberwolves at Lakers key injuries
Timberwolves
- None.
Lakers
- PF Anthony Davis (thumb) probable
- PG Rajon Rondo (hamstring) probable
- SF LeBron James (abdomen) questionable
- SF Talen Horton-Tucker (thumb) out
- PG Kendrick Nunn (ankle) out
Timberwolves at Lakers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 119, Timberwolves 111
Money line
PASS even though L.A. is the right side, but because the Lakers (-160) is a little too expensive. I wouldn’t rule out parlaying L.A.’s money line with another similarly priced favorite for a plus-money payout.
However, in this spot, I’ll stay away from the money line.
Against the spread
I think we are getting some value on the LAKERS -3.5 (-112) because of their bumpy start incorporating new pieces.
More specifically, everyone is dogging first-year Laker Russell Westbrook who had a vintage performance in his last game. Westbrook scored 25 points and added 12 rebounds and 14 assists vs. the Heat Wednesday.
It could be the start of a turnaround for Westbrook and the Lakers who’ve been heavily criticized in the media. Because of said criticism, L.A. is only favored 3.5 points when it was laying 7.5, 6, 10.5 and 10 points in its previous four games against Minnesota.
Granted, LeBron played in all four of those games, and he’ll probably miss Friday’s contest. But, AD only played once and he obliterated the T-Wolves back in 2019.
AD put up 50 points on 69.0% shooting with 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. In AD’s 13 career games vs. Minnesota big Karl-Anthony Towns, Davis is averaging 31.8 points per game on 57.2% shooting.
Furthermore, every guard in the NBA can score on T-Wolves guard D’Angelo Russell, and Westbrook balls out vs. Russell.
In their 11 career head-to-head meetings, Westbrook’s teams are 10-1, and he is averaging 25.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 10.8 assists per game.
Maybe I’m misreading the situation and this is a “trap game”. But, BET the LAKERS -3.5 (-112).
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the OVER 223.5 (-115) for a half-unit at most because the Lakers -3.5 (-112) is my favorite bet in this contest. That said, L.A. plays the fastest pace in the Association, and Minnesota’s pace clocks in at No. 11.
Plus the Lakers have the sixth-best 3-point percentage in the NBA and the T-Wolves have the second-highest 3-point rate. So, I’m expecting a lot of possessions and a lot of 3-pointers.
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