The Minnesota Timberwolves (18-21) will be at home in the Target Center when they meet the Los Angeles Lakers (21-18). The game is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 6, 2019.
Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Odds
The Timberwolves come in on a high note after comfortably covering the 4-point spread against the Orlando Magic in their last outing, 120-103. The Lakers, meanwhile, were beat by the New York Knicks, 119-112, and failed to cover as 5.5-point underdogs. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Minnesota game went 9 points over the projected point total of 214, while the Los Angeles game finished 8.5 points over the projected point total of 222.5.
Minnesota dominated every facet of the contest. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.0 (above their season average of 24.5) and a free throw rate of 0.187 (matching their season average). Orlando was 10.2 and 0.114, respectively, for those same stats. Los Angeles, on the other hand, held New York to an effective field goal percentage of 0.429 (below their season average of 0.490). Karl-Anthony Towns played well for Minnesota with 29 points and 15 rebounds. Los Angeles, meanwhile, rallied around Brandon Ingram, who had 21 points and nine rebounds.
The Lakers evened the season series at one with a 114-110 win in their most recent matchup. LeBron James recorded a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Los Angeles’ 0.121 free throw rate was their largest advantage over Minnesota, who had a rate of 0.088. The two teams combined for 224 points, which was well under the projected point total of 239, and Los Angeles was unable to cover as a 6-point favorite.
Lakers matchups have typically finished under the projected point total (59.0 percent). Los Angeles heads into the contest with records of 21-18 straight up (SU) and 16-22-1 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Los Angeles, Timberwolves games have a slight tendency to go over the total (51.3 percent). Additionally, Minnesota owns records of 18-21 SU and 20-19 ATS.
The Lakers’ Ingram has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 18 points,6.0 rebounds,3.6 assists per game. Meanwhile, Towns has averaged 28 points,17.2 rebounds,5.8 assists,3.0 blocks during that same time frame for the Timberwolves.
Minnesota should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Minnesota ranks third in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.3 percent), while Los Angeles forces the ninth-fewest turnovers (13.1 percent). Also, the sharp-shooting offense of the Lakers ranks fourth in effective field goal percentage (0.536), while the Timberwolves are seventh-worst in the league at effective field goal percentage allowed (0.530).
Lakers at Timberwolves Odds Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Lakers rank 2 in points in the paint per game (55.53846153846154) while the Timberwolves rank 13 (49.12820512820513).
- Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (20.1) while Minnesota ranks 25th in fast break points allowed per game (14.8).
- The Lakers rank eighth in rebounds per game (46.8) while the Timberwolves rank 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (45.9).
- Los Angeles ranks 13th in assists allowed per game (23.8) while Minnesota ranks 28th (25.9).
- Los Angeles ranks 13 in three pointers allowed per game (30.794871794871796) while Minnesota ranks 25 (33.23076923076923).
- The Timberwolves rank first in steals allowed per game (6.5) while the Lakers rank 23rd (8.3).
- The Lakers rank 4 in blocks per game (5.846153846153846) while the Timberwolves rank 17 in blocks allowed per game (5.256410256410256).
- Minnesota ranks 12 in points off turnovers per game (17.46153846153846) while Los Angeles ranks 23 in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.71794871794872).
- Minnesota ranks fifth in second chance points per game (14.9) while Los Angeles ranks 21st (12.6).
- Los Angeles is 6-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Minnesota is 7-0.
- When scoring over 100 points, the Timberwolves are 18-15 and the Lakers are 20-16.
- Minnesota is 12-7 ATS at home, while Los Angeles is 8-10 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 11 of the Timberwolves’ 19 home games, while 9 of the Lakers’ 18 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Los Angeles and Minnesota are both 2-3 ATS.
- The Lakers have 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games, while the Timberwolves have 5 overs
- During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 111.2 points per game (1.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 115.0 points per game (3.5 above their season average).
- The Timberwolves’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.2, up from 0.0 for the season.
