Lakers vs. Timberwolves Pick
Are the fresher Minnesota Timberwolves going to take advantage of a visiting Los Angeles Lakers team on the second leg of a back-to-back tonight when they meet at 9PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Timberwolves are a 9.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total sits at 225.5 points. The spread has not moved since it opened, while the over-under has jumped from 222.5.
As of Thursday afternoon, 52 percent of public bets are coming on the visiting Lakers. Online wager info also shows that 56 percent of public bets have been placed on the over.
There is plenty of info on teams struggling in the second half of a back-to-back set, which obviously makes perfect and easy sense. It’s even tougher when there is travel involved and the Lakers came north overnight from New Orleans, where it lost 139-117 in a shootout. It was the second straight game of at least 153 total points the Lakers have played, so if you want to go back to the over well again tonight then by all means I’m not going to stop you. Just now that LA has demonstrated the ability to play strong defense over the past month-plus, so be aware that head coach Luke Walton might stress that area tonight.
Prior to losing their last two on the road, Los Angeles had won four in a row straight up. The Lakers are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 contests and the over-under has gone 5-5. Minnesota hasn’t played its best basketball of late, having losing three of the last four straight up and failing to cover any of them. The T-Wolves are 4-6 ATS in their last 10 contests, while the over has hit five games in a row and is 6-4 in the last 10.
Overall, I like the Timberwolves to get back on track with a big win here. They are at home for a third straight game and did not play yesterday unlike the Lakers. The spread is big, but this is a prime spot for a double-digit win. Minnesota won the first two meetings decisively, 121-104 in LA on Christmas Day and 114-96 at home on New Year’s Day. Should have played yesterday on Valentine’s Day to complete the holiday scheduling trifecta. All jokes aside, go with the Timberwolves here.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES -9.5