The Los Angeles Lakers (4-6) welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves (4-7) to Staples Center. The Timberwolves will attempt to end a six-game road losing streak. The game can be seen on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 7, 2018.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers ATS Odds
Both teams fell in their last contest. The Lakers (2-point favorites) were defeated by the Toronto Raptors, 121-107, while the Timberwolves (5.5-point underdogs) fell to the Los Angeles Clippers, 120-109. The Los Angeles game finished 6 points under the projected point total of 234, while the Minnesota game went 4 points under the projected point total of 233.
Minnesota did a great job of getting and making free throws (24-30; 80.0 percent) while Los Angeles did a fantastic job of getting and making free throws (23-29; 79.3 percent). Kyle Kuzma had a good game for Los Angeles, putting up 24 points and five rebounds. Minnesota, meanwhile, rallied around Karl-Anthony Towns, who had 20 points and 12 rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Towns led the Timberwolves to a 124-120 victory. He recorded a double-double with 25 points and 16 rebounds. The two teams combined for 244 points, which was just over the projected point total of 239, and Minnesota covered as a 1.5-point underdog. Minnesota was successful at getting to and converting from the charity stripe. The Timberwolves made 26 of their 30 free throws (86.7 percent), while the Lakers were just 10-15 (66.7 percent).
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Timberwolves games, with 6 unders compared to 5 overs. Minnesota heads into the game with records of 4-7 straight up (SU) and 4-7 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Lakers’ 10 games, 6 have finished over the total. Additionally, Los Angeles owns records of 4-6 SU and 3-7 ATS.
Towns has been playing at a high level recently for Minnesota, averaging 21.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals over the last five games.
The sharp-shooting offense of Los Angeles will battle against the bottom-tier defense of Minnesota. The Lakers rank fifth in effective field goal percentage (0.546), while the Timberwolves are 22nd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.541). The Lakers should have the advantage on that end of the court. ,
Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Lakers average 44.4 rebounds per game, which ranks 18th in the league. The Timberwolves rank 26th in rebounds allowed per game (50.4).
- Los Angeles ranks first in points in the paint per game (61.6) while Minnesota ranks 22nd in points allowed in the paint per game (51.6).
- The Timberwolves rank third in steals allowed per game (6.1) while the Lakers rank 18th (7.8).
- Los Angeles ranks first in fast-break points per game (23.4) while Minnesota ranks 16th in fast-break points allowed per game (14.0).
- Minnesota averages 6.5 blocks per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 16th in blocks allowed per game (5.7).
- The Lakers rank seventh in points off turnovers per game (19.8) while the Timberwolves rank 25th (14.6).
- The Lakers rank 13th in second chance points per game (13.9) while the Timberwolves rank 27th in second chance points allowed per game (17.6).
- Los Angeles averages 28.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 21st in the league. Minnesota ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (32.5).
- Los Angeles ranks sixth in assists per game (25.6) while Minnesota ranks 24th in assists allowed per game (25.3).
- Minnesota is 1-0 when they allow under 100 points.
- The Lakers are 4-6 when they score more than 100 points, while the Timberwolves are 4-4.
- Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS at home, while Minnesota is 1-5 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 4 of the Timberwolves’ 6 road games, while 3 of the Lakers’ 5 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Timberwolves are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Lakers are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Minnesota has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Los Angeles has 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Timberwolves’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 10.2, up from 7.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 112.2 points per game (6.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 115.6 points per game (4.4 below their season average).