The Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves will try to get back on track when they meet on the hardwood floor on Friday night.
Neither the Lakers nor Timberwolves have been consistent this season. Their up-and-down ways have them currently sitting in eighth and ninth in the Western Conference. The NBA Cup knockout round matches midweek have allowed both to rest and refocus. Speaking of rest, word has it that LeBron James is unlikely to play Friday (foot soreness).
To that effect, the Timberwolves are currently pegged as -7.5 favourites on our NBA odds.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves NBA Betting Odds
Even though it’s not even Christmas, Friday is already the third time this season that the Lakers and Timberwolves have engaged in battle. They opened their seasons against each other on Oct. 22, with L.A. winning 110-103 at home. Then, on Dec. 2, the Wolves exacted a measure of vengeance with an easy-peasy 109-80 victory on their court. Through the 2024 calendar year, it’s all even 2-2.
It’s hard to determine if the Lakers are doing better, worse, or just as expected. LeBron can’t be the most dominant player on the court every night, not at 39 years old (soon to be 40). Anthony Davis is having a good campaign (27.5 points per game, 11.2 rebounds), but he doesn’t always have the killer shark attitude. Lakers fans are reckoning with the reality that the rest of the roster is fine but nothing incredible. L.A. is a disappointing 10-14 ATS and isn’t a good road team, given the 5-6 straight-up tally.
The conversation surrounding Minnesota is more straightforward. After being an incredible defensive side for a couple of years and playing the Western Conference Finals last May, their 12-11 record (9-14 ATS) is massively disappointing. The defence is still good (107.0 points against, fourth-best in the NBA) but the trade to acquire Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo is not paying dividends on the offensive side. Minnesota is only 20th league-wide by scoring 110.5 points a game.
Los Angeles Lakers
There is some more injury news to take note of. Austin Reaves is listed as Out due to a pelvis injury. He did not practice on Wednesday. Look for Dalton Knecht to fill those shoes.
Looking at the past two weeks of action, it’s understandable why some might argue that the sky is falling on the Lakers. JJ Reddick’s group is 2-4 in its last six matches, with victories earned against bottom dwellers the Portland Trail Blazers (107-98 on Dec. 8) and the Utah Jazz (105-104 on Dec. 1). The defeats came against the Oklahoma City Thunder (101-93), Minnesota Timberwolves (109-80), Atlanta Hawks (134-132), and Miami Heat (134-93). That’s right, L.A. gave up 134 points twice in a row. Also, those are all decent-to-great clubs.
Now there is talk in the media of LeBron possibly joining the Golden State Warriors. We’ll let the parties concerned decide whether there is actual validity to that or not. If anything, the person who faces the sternest test through this stretch of the campaign is Reddick. His hiring raised eyebrows for legitimate reasons. Now’s the time to try to right the ship.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Maybe Anthony Edwards should criticize his teammates more often. After letting it be known in the media that he felt the club was “soft” after a loss to the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 28, the Wolves went on a four-game winning streak that ended last Sunday on the second of a “baseball series” versus the Warriors.
The word on the street is that the Randle trade is not working. It feels a bit early to make such bold statements. He is having his worst scoring season since 2021-22 with the Knicks (20.4 points per game), and the chemistry with Edwards and Rudy Gobert hasn’t fully meshed yet. Then again, how quickly is the plug supposed to be pulled? Less than two months into the campaign?
If things are really bad, they still have good players like Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Lakers vs. Timberwolves?
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LAKERS
105 -
TIMBERWOLVES
115
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 12 Dec 2:43pm | - | - | O +217.5 -110 |
Closing 14 Dec 2:53am | - | - | O +194.5 -120 |
- Regular Season
Lakers Team Leaders
Points |
25.74 |
Assists |
8.98 |
Rebounds |
11.88 |
FG% |
70.2 |
Steals |
1.29 |
Blocks |
2.14 |
Points |
27.55 |
Assists |
4.6 |
Rebounds |
10.42 |
FG% |
66.7 |
Steals |
1.44 |
Blocks |
1.55 |
- Regular Season
Timberwolves Team Leaders
Points |
25.74 |
Assists |
8.98 |
Rebounds |
11.88 |
FG% |
70.2 |
Steals |
1.29 |
Blocks |
2.14 |
Points |
27.55 |
Assists |
4.6 |
Rebounds |
10.42 |
FG% |
66.7 |
Steals |
1.44 |
Blocks |
1.55 |
Injuries
Austin Reaves (PG)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Luka Doncic (SF)
Austin Reaves (PG)
Bronny James (PG)
Austin Reaves (PG)
Cam Reddish (SF)
LeBron James (SF)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Naz Reid (C)
Anthony Edwards (SG)
Julius Randle (PF)
Mike Conley (PG)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG)
Naz Reid (C)
Rob Dillingham (PG)
Anthony Edwards (SG)
Rudy Gobert (C)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Austin Reaves (PG) | Prob Wed | Elbow - 12 / 02 / 25 | 9-4 | 9-5 | + - |
Reaves is nursing with a elbow injury, but he is likely to face the Jazz on Wednesday. |
|||||
Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Feb 19 | Knee - 12 / 02 / 25 | 9-4 | 9-5 | + - |
Vincent is hampered with a knee injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will face the Hornets on Wednesday, February 19th. |
|||||
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) | Ques Feb 19 | Ankle - 12 / 02 / 25 | 9-4 | 9-5 | + - |
Finney-Smith is nursing with an ankle injury, it is undetermined if he will face Hornets on Wednesday, February 19th. |
|||||
Luka Doncic (SF) | Prob Wed | Calf - 12 / 02 / 25 | 9-4 | 9-5 | + - |
Doncic is battling with a calf injury, but he is likely to face the Jazz on Wednesday. |
|||||
Austin Reaves (PG) | Prob Mon | Elbow - 09 / 02 / 25 | 8-4 | 8-5 | + - |
Reaves is nursing with a left elbow contusion, but he is likely to suit up against the Jazz on Monday. |
|||||
Bronny James (PG) | Prob Wed | Wrist - 09 / 02 / 25 | 8-4 | 8-5 | + - |
James is nursing a wrist injury, but he is projected to face the Jazz on Wednesday. |
|||||
Austin Reaves (PG) | Prob Sat | Elbow - 08 / 02 / 25 | 7-4 | 7-5 | + - |
Reaves is battling an elbow injury, and he is projected to feature in the lineup against the Pacers on Saturday. |
|||||
Cam Reddish (SF) | Out Fri | Personal - 07 / 02 / 25 | 6-4 | 7-4 | + - |
Reddish is dealing with a personal matter, and it he is not anticipated to kit up against the Spurs. |
|||||
LeBron James (SF) | Prob Thurs | Foot - 06 / 02 / 25 | 6-4 | 7-4 | + - |
James is hobbled by a left foot injury, but he is likely to be active against the Warriors on Thursday. |
|||||
Gabe Vincent (SG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 06 / 02 / 25 | 6-4 | 7-4 | + - |
Vincent is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is expected to be available against the Warriors on Thursday. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mike Conley (PG) | Ques Thurs | Finger - 07 / 02 / 25 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
Conley is dealing with a right index finger sprain, and it is yet to established if he will play against the Thunder on Thursday. |
|||||
Naz Reid (C) | Ques Mon | Hand - 02 / 02 / 25 | 4-4 | 5-3 | + - |
Reid exited the game due to a hand injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Kings on Monday. |
|||||
Anthony Edwards (SG) | Ques Mon | Illness - 01 / 02 / 25 | 4-4 | 5-3 | + - |
Edwards is ailing with illness, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up against the Kings on Monday. |
|||||
Julius Randle (PF) | Out indefinitely | Groin - 31 / 01 / 25 | 5-4 | 6-3 | + - |
Randle is managing a right groin strain, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
Mike Conley (PG) | Ques Sat | Thumb - 30 / 01 / 25 | 5-5 | 6-4 | + - |
Conley is managing with a sprained thumb injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will participate against the Wizards on Saturday. |
|||||
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG) | Ques Wed | Lower Body - 28 / 01 / 25 | 6-5 | 7-4 | + - |
Alexander-Walker sustained a lower body injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Suns on Wednesday. |
|||||
Naz Reid (C) | Ques Thurs | Illness - 28 / 01 / 25 | 6-5 | 7-4 | + - |
Reid exited the previous match due to a shoulder injury, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against the Jazz on Thursday. |
|||||
Rob Dillingham (PG) | Ques Wed | Illness - 28 / 01 / 25 | 6-5 | 7-4 | + - |
Dillingham is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Suns on Wednesday. |
|||||
Anthony Edwards (SG) | Prob Sat | Illness - 24 / 01 / 25 | 6-6 | 8-4 | + - |
Edwards is ailing from illness, and he is likely to take the court against the Nuggets on Saturday. |
|||||
Rudy Gobert (C) | Ques Mon | Ankle - 19 / 01 / 25 | 8-7 | 9-6 | + - |
Gobert is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will face the Grizzlies on Monday. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 12 Dec 2:43pm - - O +217.5 -110 Closing 14 Dec 2:53am - - O +194.5 -120 -
- Regular Season
Lakers Team Leaders
Points 25.74
Assists 8.98
Rebounds 11.88
FG% 70.2
Steals 1.29
Blocks 2.14
Points 27.55
Assists 4.6
Rebounds 10.42
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.55
-
- Regular Season
Timberwolves Team Leaders
Points 25.74
Assists 8.98
Rebounds 11.88
FG% 70.2
Steals 1.29
Blocks 2.14
Points 27.55
Assists 4.6
Rebounds 10.42
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.44
Blocks 1.55
-
Injuries
Austin Reaves (PG)
Prob Wed Elbow - 12 / 02 / 25Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Feb 19 Knee - 12 / 02 / 25Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Ques Feb 19 Ankle - 12 / 02 / 25Luka Doncic (SF)
Prob Wed Calf - 12 / 02 / 25Austin Reaves (PG)
Prob Mon Elbow - 09 / 02 / 25Bronny James (PG)
Prob Wed Wrist - 09 / 02 / 25Austin Reaves (PG)
Prob Sat Elbow - 08 / 02 / 25Cam Reddish (SF)
Out Fri Personal - 07 / 02 / 25LeBron James (SF)
Prob Thurs Foot - 06 / 02 / 25Gabe Vincent (SG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 06 / 02 / 25Mike Conley (PG)
Ques Thurs Finger - 07 / 02 / 25Naz Reid (C)
Ques Mon Hand - 02 / 02 / 25Anthony Edwards (SG)
Ques Mon Illness - 01 / 02 / 25Julius Randle (PF)
Out indefinitely Groin - 31 / 01 / 25Mike Conley (PG)
Ques Sat Thumb - 30 / 01 / 25Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG)
Ques Wed Lower Body - 28 / 01 / 25Naz Reid (C)
Ques Thurs Illness - 28 / 01 / 25Rob Dillingham (PG)
Ques Wed Illness - 28 / 01 / 25Anthony Edwards (SG)
Prob Sat Illness - 24 / 01 / 25Rudy Gobert (C)
Ques Mon Ankle - 19 / 01 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Austin Reaves (PG) Prob Wed Elbow - 12 / 02 / 25 9-4 9-5 + - Reaves is nursing with a elbow injury, but he is likely to face the Jazz on Wednesday.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Feb 19 Knee - 12 / 02 / 25 9-4 9-5 + - Vincent is hampered with a knee injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will face the Hornets on Wednesday, February 19th.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF) Ques Feb 19 Ankle - 12 / 02 / 25 9-4 9-5 + - Finney-Smith is nursing with an ankle injury, it is undetermined if he will face Hornets on Wednesday, February 19th.
Luka Doncic (SF) Prob Wed Calf - 12 / 02 / 25 9-4 9-5 + - Doncic is battling with a calf injury, but he is likely to face the Jazz on Wednesday.
Austin Reaves (PG) Prob Mon Elbow - 09 / 02 / 25 8-4 8-5 + - Reaves is nursing with a left elbow contusion, but he is likely to suit up against the Jazz on Monday.
Bronny James (PG) Prob Wed Wrist - 09 / 02 / 25 8-4 8-5 + - James is nursing a wrist injury, but he is projected to face the Jazz on Wednesday.
Austin Reaves (PG) Prob Sat Elbow - 08 / 02 / 25 7-4 7-5 + - Reaves is battling an elbow injury, and he is projected to feature in the lineup against the Pacers on Saturday.
Cam Reddish (SF) Out Fri Personal - 07 / 02 / 25 6-4 7-4 + - Reddish is dealing with a personal matter, and it he is not anticipated to kit up against the Spurs.
LeBron James (SF) Prob Thurs Foot - 06 / 02 / 25 6-4 7-4 + - James is hobbled by a left foot injury, but he is likely to be active against the Warriors on Thursday.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Prob Thurs Knee - 06 / 02 / 25 6-4 7-4 + - Vincent is nursing a left knee contusion, but he is expected to be available against the Warriors on Thursday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Mike Conley (PG) Ques Thurs Finger - 07 / 02 / 25 3-2 3-2 + - Conley is dealing with a right index finger sprain, and it is yet to established if he will play against the Thunder on Thursday.
Naz Reid (C) Ques Mon Hand - 02 / 02 / 25 4-4 5-3 + - Reid exited the game due to a hand injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Kings on Monday.
Anthony Edwards (SG) Ques Mon Illness - 01 / 02 / 25 4-4 5-3 + - Edwards is ailing with illness, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up against the Kings on Monday.
Julius Randle (PF) Out indefinitely Groin - 31 / 01 / 25 5-4 6-3 + - Randle is managing a right groin strain, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Mike Conley (PG) Ques Sat Thumb - 30 / 01 / 25 5-5 6-4 + - Conley is managing with a sprained thumb injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will participate against the Wizards on Saturday.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG) Ques Wed Lower Body - 28 / 01 / 25 6-5 7-4 + - Alexander-Walker sustained a lower body injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Suns on Wednesday.
Naz Reid (C) Ques Thurs Illness - 28 / 01 / 25 6-5 7-4 + - Reid exited the previous match due to a shoulder injury, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against the Jazz on Thursday.
Rob Dillingham (PG) Ques Wed Illness - 28 / 01 / 25 6-5 7-4 + - Dillingham is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Suns on Wednesday.
Anthony Edwards (SG) Prob Sat Illness - 24 / 01 / 25 6-6 8-4 + - Edwards is ailing from illness, and he is likely to take the court against the Nuggets on Saturday.
Rudy Gobert (C) Ques Mon Ankle - 19 / 01 / 25 8-7 9-6 + - Gobert is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will face the Grizzlies on Monday.