The Minnesota Timberwolves have been flying high for the majority of the 2017-18 NBA campaign but have hit a bit of a wall ahead of the all-star break. Before the young Wolves hit the extended break, they’ll have to do battle with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. High-scoring affairs are the norm in this series, as eight of the last 10 meetings between the T-Wolves and Lakers have gone above the closing total.
Sportsbook opened the Lakers as 10-point road underdogs with a total of 224.5.
- The Timberwolves are 8-1 SU in their last nine games at home against teams with losing records.
- The Lakers are 0-5 SU and ATS in their last five games with no days off between games.
- The Lakers are 32-11 SU in their last 43 games against the Timberwolves.
Minnesota was 13 games above .500 a month ago but has gone 4-7 SU since. The Timberwolves’ 13-game home winning streak came to an end on Tuesday when they were dominated by Houston 126-108. Don’t fault Karl-Anthony Towns, however, as the big man recorded 35 points on 12-of-16 shooting and 12 rebounds against the Rockets. Towns leads the NBA with a ridiculous 50 double-doubles this season.
Los Angeles’ defense has sprung a major leak of late, evidenced by the squad allowing 130 points in Saturday’s setback to the Dallas Mavericks before getting blown out 139-117 by New Orleans on Wednesday. The team is fitting new point guard Isaiah Thomas into the lineup, but the diminutive Thomas lasted only four minutes in that game before getting ejected after a brush-up with Rajon Rondo. After winning 12 of their last 16 games, the Lakers have now suffered back-to-back setbacks.
Scared of betting the OVER due to the high total? Consider this. The OVER is 13-2 in the Lakers’ last 15 games with a closing total of 224.5 or more.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The visiting Los Angeles Lakers opened this morning as 9.5-point underdogs in this one at most sportsbooks tracked at OddsShark (including Sportsbook), while the total was hovering around 222.5 at Sportsbook and other betting odds shops.
OddsShark computer prediction formulas pick a 117-104 win for the Timberwolves on Thursday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Minnesota battles the Los Angeles Lakers, currently with a 23-33 mark (29-27 ATS). The OVER/UNDER records, important for totals betting, are 32-27-1 for the Timberwolves and 29-27 for the Lakers. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Minnesota vs Los Angeles injuries news.
This game pits the Timberwolves, currently No. 13 in the OddsShark NBA Power Rankings, against the Lakers, who rate No. 16 in the most recent survey update.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Minnesota's No. 6-ranked offense averaging 109.58 PPG, against a Los Angeles defense that ranks No. 28 at 110.05 PPG. The Timberwolves' field-goal percentage has averaged 48% so far, more than the Lakers shooters have achieved on the year, 45.84% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Los Angeles was crushed on Wednesday, getting run out of the gym by New Orleans and falling 139-117 at Smoothie King Center.
Karl-Anthony Towns chucked in 35 points for Minnesota on Tuesday, but they still came up short in losing 126-108 at Target Center.
- Los Angeles is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- Los Angeles is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games
- Los Angeles is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games
- Minnesota is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games at home
- Minnesota is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Los Angeles home to Dallas, Friday, February 23
Minnesota at Houston, Friday, February 23
