The Los Angeles Lakers (16-13) travel to the Target Center Friday to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (13-15). Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Lakers vs. Timberwolves odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Unfortunately, several key players will miss this one because of the league’s COVID-19 protocols. The Lakers will be without PG Russell Westbrook, SG Talen Horton-Tucker, PG Avery Bradley and C Dwight Howard. SG Malik Monk is also listed on the NBA injury report as “out” even though he was cleared Thursday after entering protocols Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s second leading scorer SF Anthony Edwards (22.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game) entered protocols Friday morning.
The Lakers are riding a three-game winning streak and have won 4 of their last 5. They have been the second-least profitable team with an against-the-spread record of just 11-18, which is only better than the Trail Blazers (10-19).
As for the Timberwolves, they snapped a five-game losing streak Sunday with a 116-111 road win at the Blazers. They then took down the Nuggets by 17 (124-107) Wednesday. They’re 13-15 ATS and 2-4 as home underdogs.
Lakers at Timberwolves odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:18 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Lakers -112 (bet $112 to win $100) | Timberwolves -108 (bet $108 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers -1.5 (-102) | Timberwolves +1.5 (-122)
- Over/Under (O/U): 220.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Lakers at Timberwolves key injuries
Lakers
- PG Avery Bradley (health and safety protocols) out
- C Anthony Davis (knee) probable
- SG Talen Horton-Tucker (health and safety protocols) out
- C Dwight Howard (health and safety protocols) out
- PF LeBron James (abdomen) probable
- SG Malik Monk (health and safety protocols) out
- PG Russell Westbrook (health and safety protocols) out
Timberwolves
- SF Anthony Edwards (health and safety protocols) out
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Lakers at Timberwolves odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Timberwolves 114, Lakers 108
Money line
PASS. While I like the Wolves at home against a short-handed Lakers team, the value is in the points.
Against the spread
BET TIMBERWOLVES +1.5 (-122) as the Lakers are just short too many key players.
The Wolves and Lakers, aside from the injuries, are as even as they come, both having an offensive and defensive rating in the 107s. Both teams also rank in the bottom half in turnover rate.
Given their negative net rating, the Lakers are a little worse than their record indicates, the opposite for the Wolves. Betting on Minnesota is the right play.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the OVER 220.5 (-108) as the Wolves should be looking to get out and run. Also, the Lakers have been heating up on their win streak, dropping 110 or more points in 5 of their last 8 games.
The Lakers and Wolves respectively rank 6th and 12th in points per game. Both have a relatively rocky defense as well which should help for more points to be scored.
The Lakers are just 1 of 9 teams in which it has been profitable to consistently take their Over. With that in mind, I’d prefer it here.
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