Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves odds, picks and predictions

Nathan Beighle | Staff Writer

The Minnesota Timberwolves (23-7) welcome the Los Angeles Lakers (17-15) to Target Center Saturday. Tip is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Lakers vs. Timberwolves odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Minnesota leads 1-0

The Timberwolves beat the Lakers 118-111 on Dec. 21, failing to cover as 8.5-point home favorites.

Minnesota beat the Dallas Mavericks 118-110 Thursday. It did not cover as a 12-point home favorite. The Wolves are 16-14 against the spread (ATS) on the season yet just 1-4 ATS over their last 5 games. They are led in scoring by G Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 25.9 points per game.

The Lakers beat the Charlotte Hornets 133-112 Thursday, covering as 13-point home favorites. They have won 2 of their last 3 and are 3-1 ATS over their last 4. However, Los Angeles is 14-18 ATS on the season. It is led by G LeBron James, who is averaging 25.1 points per game.

Lakers at Timberwolves odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:10 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Lakers +122 (bet $100 to win $122) | Timberwolves -144 (bet $144 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Lakers +3.5 (-110) | Timberwolves -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Lakers at Timberwolves key injuries

Lakers

F Anthony Davis (ankle) questionable
F Rui Hachimura (nose) available
F LeBron James (knee) questionable
G Cam Reddish (groin) probable
G Gabe Vincent (knee) out

Timberwolves

F Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) questionable

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Lakers at Timberwolves picks and predictions

Prediction

Timberwolves 119, Lakers 112

Moneyline

PASS.

The Lakers are 2-4 straight up over their last 6 road games and aren't worth a play as plus-money underdogs here. Similarly, the Wolves (-144) are too expensive compared to their value on the spread.

Against the spread

BET TIMBERWOLVES -3.5 (-110).

Since the in-season tournament, the Lakers are 2-4 ATS in 6 road games.

Los Angeles could also be down 2 key players in James and Davis, both listed as questionable. The Wolves have the size in C Rudy Gobert to counter Davis regardless.

Minnesota is 6-4-2 ATS as a home favorite this year. Having won 5 straight home games by 4 or more points, back the TIMBERWOLVES -3.5 (-110) here.

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 226.5 (-110).

If there's 1 thing both teams can do, it is score. The Wolves are 16-14 O/U this season and have gone Over in 4 of their last 6 games, notching at least 118 points in 2 of their last 4.

The Lakers are 17-15 O/U and have gone Over in 5 straight games. The Over has had such success due to their struggling defense, which has allowed 120 or more in 3 of their last 5.

Considering those trends, back OVER 226.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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