Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction, Preview, and Odds
Cleveland led by four at the half, but the Timberwolves were able to take a one-point lead in the third quarter. However, the Cavaliers tied the score, forcing overtime, then pulled away in the extra session. Minnesota hit 18 of 22 free-throw attempts (81.8%), but Cleveland hit 26 free-throws, providing most of the margin of victory. Minnesota is ninth in field goal percentage (48.5%).
“A technical foul with 27 seconds in the game, to be honest, is unacceptable," Timberwolves Assistant Coach Micah Nori said. "That’s who Rudy is, but you’ve got to be smart. He made a visual that was automatic. He was obviously frustrated — both teams were — but we have to be smarter.”
Naz Reid came off the bench to score 34 points. He was 10-18 from the floor, including going 7-11 from three-point range. Reid is averaging 12.6 ppg. Anthony Edwards has been leading the way with Towns out, averaging 26.3 ppg. He had 19 against Cleveland.
Minnesota has been very good defensively, ranked first in opponent field goal percentage (44.6%) and first in opponent field goals made (39.0). They are third in opponent three-point percentage (34.9%) and in rebounds allowed per game (40.9).
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The Los Angeles Lakers (36-30, 29-36-0 ATS) defeated the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, 123-122. Los Angeles is 6-4 in their last 10 (4-6-0 ATS) and they are 24-11 at home (15-18-0 ATS). The Lakers are in ninth place in the conference.The Lakers rallied in the second quarter to take a four-point lead into the half. They then added to the lead, finally holding on for the one-point victory. Los Angeles had a tough day at the line, going 13-19, however, they hit 52.2% of their shots. That was not surprising as the Lakers are third in field goal percentage (49.8%).
“D-Lo just stepped up and won us the game, and obviously with Spence with the defense on that last possession,” said Austin Reaves, who scored 18 points for the Lakers. “Just seeing D-Lo take over the game, I constantly kept telling him in timeouts, ‘Take us home.’”
D’Angelo Russell led the way for the Lakers, scoring 44 points, including 21 in the final quarter. Russell added six rebounds and nine assists. He is fourth on the team in points per game (18.1) and is averaging 6.2 assists per contest as well.
The Lakers are a very good offensive team, third in field goal percentage (49.8%) and are 10th in three-point shooting (37.4%). However, they are 24th in shots per game (87.7). Plus, this is not a very good defensive team, ranked 19th in opponent field goal percentage (47.3%) and they are last in shots allowed per game (93.5).
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Best Bets for this Game
Insiders Status:
These teams have gone under in eight of the last 10 meetings. That includes four straight games in Los Angeles. These teams have scored over 222 in just two of the last 10 meetings.
The Lakers have scored at least 120 in three of their last five games, but Minnesota is a different kind of defense. Nine of their last 10 opponents have been under 115 and they have held five of the last 10 under 110. Take the Timberwolves to win, 112-109.
Prediction: Go under 222.5 (-112)
