Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction, NBA Odds
The Timberwolves return home knotted with New Orleans in seventh place in the conference standings after suffering a 107-100 loss in Phoenix that snapped a four-game losing streak. The Lakers sit just a half-game back of the T-Wolves after improving to 4-1 straight up in their past five games with Wednesday’s 121-110 win in Chicago.
The Timberwolves have returned to their opening position as slim 1-point favourites after briefly improving to 1.5-point chalk. The Lakers are listed as -102 moneyline underdogs, and the total has climbed slightly to 233 since opening at 232.5.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves NBA Betting Odds
Friday night’s matchup at Target Center marks the third and final regular season meeting between these Western Conference rivals. The Timberwolves claimed the win in each of their previous two dates with Los Angeles this season, capped by a 110-102 road victory on March 3, and have now won five of their past six in head-to-head action while going undefeated against the spread. No surprisingly, points have come at a premium during their recent struggles against Minnesota, averaging just 98.5 during their current 1-5 swoon, and fueling a 6-0 run for the UNDER.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have received a huge lift from LeBron James’ earlier than expected return from injury this week. Sidelined by a foot injury that has been a source of concern throughout the campaign, James saw limited action in his return in the team’s 118-108 loss to Chicago last Sunday, but showed no ill effects while racking up 25 points and eight rebounds as LA claimed a 121-110 win in the second half of their home-and-home with the Bulls on Wednesday. James remains listed as questionable for Friday, but both he and Anthony Davis are widely expected to be in the lineup at tip off. Davis has also been dealing with foot and back ailments of his own, and has been regularly found his way on to the pregame injury report. And while AD racked up 38 points on Wednesday, he has struggled with consistency of late, scoring just 15 points in two of his past five outings.
Minnesota Timberwolves
A letdown after recess proved to be the difference, as the T-Wolves saw a four-game surge end with Wednesday’s 107-100 loss in Phoenix. Leading by three points at the half, Minnesota extended its lead to 10 points shortly after recess, but just as quickly saw that advantage slip away during a 15-4 run that shifted the momentum toward Phoenix the rest of the way. The loss came at the end of a hectic three-game road trip over four nights, with the club’s efforts not helped by a supporting cast that did little to contribute offensively. Indeed, just two starters tallied double-digit point totals, with Anthony Edwards recording 31 points and Karl-Anthony Towns contributing 25. However, the status of both Edwards and Towns is uncertain after each showed up on the Friday injury due to an illness and calf injury, respectively. The absence of either star would be bad news for a Timberwolves squad that has earned just one win in their past six home games, and scored 100 or fewer points in two of their past three outings.
LAL
MIN