The Los Angeles Lakers (38-38) and Minnesota Timberwolves (39-38) meet Friday at Target Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (NBA TV). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Lakers vs. Timberwolves odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Lakers covered the spread as 3.5-point favorites Wednesday with a 121-110 win at the Chicago Bulls. F LeBron James scored 25 points for the Lakers, who have won 4 of their last 5 games and are 9th in the Western Conference.
The Timberwolves failed to cover as 6-point underdogs Wednesday in a 107-100 loss at the Phoenix Suns. G Anthony Edwards had a game-high 31 points as Minnesota’s 4-game win streak ended. The Timberwolves are a half-game ahead of the Lakers for the 8th seed in the West.
The Timberwolves lead this season’s series 2-0 straight up and against the spread, with the Under hitting in both meetings. Minnesota covered as a 1.5-point road favorite 110-102 as the Under (227) cashed in the most recent meeting March 3.
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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 2:10 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lakers -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Timberwolves -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lakers +1.5 (-122) | Timberwolves -1.5 (+102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 232.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Lakers at Timberwolves key injuries
Lakers
- C Anthony Davis (foot) probable
- F LeBron James (foot) questionable
Timberwolves
- F Kyle Anderson (illness) probable
- G Anthony Edwards (illness) probable
- G Jaylen Nowell (knee) questionable
- F Taurean Prince (illness) questionable
- C Naz Reid (wrist) questionable
- F Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) probable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Lakers at Timberwolves picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 119, Timberwolves 110
Moneyline
BET LAKERS (-110).
Los Angeles has won 4 of its last 5 games with the lone loss being due to James returning to the lineup and momentarily upsetting team chemistry. Minnesota’s 4-game win streak ended Wednesday, but each of those wins was by 6 or fewer points and could have gone either way. The Timberwolves should struggle to beat the Lakers 3 times in 1 season, especially since Los Angeles has been the better team lately.
Against the spread
PASS.
Los Angeles +1.5 (-122) should hit, but there is no need to pay the higher price on the spread when the Lakers should win straight up. Bet the moneyline and/or total instead.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 232.5 (-108).
The Under is 4-1 in Los Angeles’ last 5 games and 5-0 in its last 5 vs. teams with a winning record.
The Under has hit in 6 of Minnesota’s last 8 games and is 9-3-1 in its last 13 at home. These teams tend to play low-scoring games vs. each other, with the Under hitting in each of the last 6 meetings, and Friday’s matchup should stay Under the total once again.
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