The struggling Los Angeles Lakers (0-4) visit the surprisingly mediocre Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2) Friday. Tipoff from Target Center is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Lakers vs. Timberwolves odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Lakers have started the season looking terrible in most aspects of the game. F LeBron James and F Anthony Davis have looked decent, but neither has played great.
Los Angeles failed to cover as a 5-point underdog in its 110-99 loss Wednesday at the Denver Nuggets. What was a tie game at halftime turned into a double-digit loss as the Lakers couldn’t shoot from beyond the arc (yet again), LeBron looked terrible on the offensive end and Davis looked terrible on the defensive end.
The Timberwolves were speculated to be a top-6 playoff seed during the offseason, but instead, find themselves looking to avoid being .500 six games into the season. Their stars have not looked terrible, but many aren’t performing to the level that many would expect.
All-star caliber F Anthony Edwards is their leading scorer, averaging 22.8 points per game on just 46.3% shooting from the field. Newly-acquired C Rudy Gobert is doing his job as a rebounder and shot-blocker, but Minnesota will look for him to continue to progress on the offensive end.
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Lakers at Timberwolves odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lakers +215 (bet $100 to win $215) | Timberwolves -280 (bet $280 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers +6.5 (-110) | Timberwolves -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 230.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Lakers at Timberwolves key injuries
Lakers
- F Anthony Davis (back) questionable
- F LeBron James (foot) probable
- F Juan Toscano-Anderson (ankle) out
- G Russell Westbrook (hamstring) probable
Timberwolves
- F Kyle Anderson (back) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Lakers at Timberwolves picks and predictions
Prediction
Timberwolves 101, Lakers 90
Moneyline
AVOID.
Neither of these teams has looked good this year, especially the Lakers. Betting the moneyline on this game in the favor of either team is far too risky for me to advise you to risk your money.
Against the spread
LEAN TIMBERWOLVES +6.5 (-110).
The Timberwolves are simply too talented to lose this game to the 0-4 Lakers. With talent in both their frontcourt and backcourt, they should possess enough offensive talent to cover the spread in this game.
I don’t believe the Lakers possess enough defense to hold the Timberwolves and make this one a close game.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 230.5 (-112).
This is your BEST BET for this game. The Lakers have looked like the worst team in the NBA to this point of the season. They have been the worst shooting team in the league, with mediocre defense, terrible transition defense, and bad rebounding. I don’t see Los Angeles being able to put up enough points in this game, given the lack of shooting acumen it’s shown and the interior defense that Minnesota has shown.
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