Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers odds, picks and predictions

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.