The Minnesota Timberwolves (2-1) play their second straight game at Staples Center Tuesday, this time against the Los Angeles Clippers (2-1). Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Timberwolves-Clippers NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Timberwolves at Clippers: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:39 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Timberwolves +400 (bet $100 to win $400) | Clippers -550 (bet $550 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Timberwolves +10.5 (-110) | Clippers -10.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 226.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Timberwolves at Clippers: Key Injuries
Timberwolves
- SF Josh Okogie (hamstring) doubtful
- C Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist) out
Clippers
- SF Kawhi Leonard (jaw) questionable
- PF Marcus Morris (knee) out
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Timberwolves at Clippers: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Clippers 119, Timberwolves 111
Money line (ML)
PASS. I cannot find a pro-Timberwolves (+400) money line argument nor will I risk five-and-a-half times my potential return on anyone, including the Clippers (-550), in regular-season NBA action.
Against the spread (ATS)
The Clippers got an all-time can of a** whoopin’ opened upon them Sunday by the Dallas Mavericks, losing 124-73 as 3-point home favorites. It was Los Angeles’ first game without MVP contender Leonard, who’s dealing with the physical ramifications stemming from him and teammate C Serge Ibaka‘s collision for a loose ball in their Christmas Day victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Minnesota didn’t play much better Sunday against the Clippers’ Staples Center co-tenants, the Los Angeles Lakers, as the Timberwolves were boat raced in a 127-91 loss. The Timberwolves were also without their best player in All-Star C Anthony Towns, who’s out with a dislocated left wrist.
There are a couple of reasons why I lean TIMBERWOLVES +10.5 (-110). First, the betting market is so one-sided—97% of the money coming in on the Clippers according to Pregame.com—which has moved the line up from the opening line of -6.5. It’s a natural reaction for me to want to fade the masses.
Second, the Timberwolves drubbed the Clippers 142-115 in their final regular-season meeting last year. KAT was Minnesota’s third-leading scorer in that game and both Kawhi and SG Paul George played and scored 20-plus points.
If anything, I’d put a tiny wager on the TIMBERWOLVES +10.5 (-110) because I much prefer the total.
Over/Under (O/U)
GIMME OVER 226.5 (-110) for 1.5 units. Both offenses are due for bounce-back performances after their previous no-shows. Plus, this another Timberwolves-Clippers betting market that we can fade.
More than 80% of the money is on the Under. My theory is that it’s a brainless, robotic response to both teams being without their best scorers. The injury reports for both teams are baked into this line already.
Also, the total was originally posted at 229.5 and we might be able to get an even smaller total closer to tip-off. Even if this game is as lopsided as the market or BetMGM is saying, this Over can still hit if either team gets hot from three.
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