The No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers welcome the No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves to Crypto.com Arena Tuesday. Tip from the 1st Western Conference play-in tournament action is set for 10 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Timberwolves vs. Lakers odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Lakers didn’t always look like a playoff team this season, but finished strong by winning 9 of their last 11 games. They were 6-5 against the spread (ATS) in that span and 9-2 O/U. They finished the season 43-39 straight up, 40-41-1 ATS and 43-38-1 O/U. The Lakers are led by F LeBron James (28.9 points per game) and F Anthony Davis (25.9 PPG).
The Timberwolves made national news as C Rudy Gobert threw a punk at F Kyle Anderson in the team’s 113-108 win over the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday. Gobert will serve a 1-game suspension. Minnesota did cover as 3.5-point home favorites and this season the Wolves were 42-40 straight up, 40-42 ATS and 38-43-1 O/U. They ended up winning 7 of their last 10 and were 6-4 ATS in that span.
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Timberwolves at Lakers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 9:29 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Timberwolves +270 (bet $100 to win $270) | Lakers -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Timberwolves +8.5 (-115) | Lakers -8.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 231.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Timberwolves at Lakers key injuries
Timberwolves
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Lakers
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For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Timberwolves at Lakers picks and predictions
Prediction
Lakers 119, Timberwolves 116
Moneyline
AVOID.
The Wolves have a talented team and many big-time shotmakers. However, the Lakers were 23-18 and will have Davis on the court without Gobert there to defend.
Ultimately, the Lakers -350 is too expensive and the Wolves at +270 isn’t quite enough value to play.
Against the spread
LEAN TIMBERWOLVES +8.5 (-115).
The Lakers were just 21-20 ATS at home this season and 1-3 ATS over their last 4 games. The Wolves have covered 3 straight games and 5 of their last 8.
They should also be a strong public fade given the news on Gobert. The Wolves were actually 8-4 straight up without Gobert in the lineup, potentially giving them a more spread-out offense.
The Wolves may also have a size and physicality advantage. They rank 7th in points in the paint while the Lakers give up the 23rd most in that regard. They should be able to use that to their advantage.
Considering the strengths and recent trends for both sides, take TIMBERWOLVES +8.5 (-115).
Over/Under
BET OVER 231.5 (-110).
In the NBA, the total often relies heavily on the pace, and both will bring it in this battle. Since the All-Star break, the Wolves rank 11th and the Lakers 12th in pace. Both sides also rank 17th and 13th in true shooting percentage, so each has been competent offensively since the break.
The Lakers have gone Over in 8 straight games while the Wolves have gone Over in 6 of their last 12. The pace and playmaking should be there, and given the trends as of late, take the OVER 231.5 (-110).
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