Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction, NBA Odds
A 10-game schedule in the NBA on Wednesday night features a battle between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. Both teams are 2-2 heading into this matchup in Minnesota. Neither side is at full strength, which is why their records are thoroughly unspectacular in the early stages of this 2025-26 campaign.
These two Western Conference rivals have already faced each other once this season, as the Lakers prevailed 128-110 at home this past Friday. However, the Timberwolves won their head-to-head showdown in the first round of the playoffs last season in five games.
Minnesota is a 7.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with the total set at 225.5.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves NBA Betting Odds
The Lakers are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven and 3-6 ATS in the last nine head-to-head meetings. However, the Timberwolves have been even worse when it comes to cashing. They are 0-5 ATS in their previous five, dating back to the 2024-25 playoffs. The Over/Under is 6-1 in L.A.’s last seven overall, 6-2 in Minnesota’s last eight, and 3-1 in the latest four head-to-head matchups.
In addition to the more traditional lines, the first-quarter spread is -1.5 in Minnesota’s favour and the first-half spread is -3.5. The over/under for the first quarter is 57.5, and the Over/Under for the first half is 115.5. On the prop-betting front, Austin Reaves of the Lakers is -125 to score more than 29.5 points. Julius Randle has the highest points quota on the Timberwolves; he is -125 to finish with more than 24.5 points.
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James has not yet taken the court this season due to a sciatica issue. The 40-year-old is not expected to play until mid-November. Luka Doncic is also sidelined, so Los Angeles is an extremely depleted squad. Doncic suited up for the first two games but will now miss approximately one week because of finger and leg injuries.
With the Lakers’ top two players on the shelf, Reaves has been stepping up in a major way. The Oklahoma product has gone crazy over the past two games, with 51 and 41 points. Even when Docic was on the court, Reaves scored 26 and 25 points in the first two contests. He is shooting 57.3 per cent from the floor and 42.9% from three-point range so far this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are without Anthony Edwards, who is sidelined for two weeks due to a hamstring injury. Edwards was averaging 36.0 points and 5.5 rebounds through the first two games of 2025-26, so that is obviously a ton of production going by the wayside for Minnesota.
Fortunately for the home side, it features a deep roster that can overcome Edwards’ temporary absence. Four other players are scoring in double-figures, and that does not even include Rudy Gobert, who is contributing 8.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. Randle is averaging 25.0 PPG, while Jaden McDaniels comes in at 16.0 PPG.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Timberwolves?
Minnesota is a considerable favourite for multiple reasons. It is down just one star player, whereas Los Angeles is missing two. Moreover, the Timberwolves are at home – where they finished nine games over .500 in 2024-25.
Meanwhile, the Lakers went 19-22 on the road last season. Asking them to cover a -7.5 spread is probably too much, given that Edwards is out and because of how well Reaves is playing for the visitors. Let’s go with Timberwolves 116, Lakers 110.
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