Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Pick & Prediction 12/2/24
At 8:00 ET, the Timberwolves (-285) will host the Lakers (+233) in a Western Conference matchup. The over/under line is 221.5.
Los Angeles is 12-8 and 6th in the Western Conference. Minnesota is 9-10 and 11th in the West. The Timberwolves are favored by 7.5.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES BETTING PICK
The Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves -7.5
This game will be played at Target Center at 8:00 ET on Monday, December 2nd.
WHY BET THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 133-87 in favor of the Timberwolves.
- Our projections have Anthony Edwards finishing with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
- From the field, we have the Timberwolves finishing with a field goal percentage of 46.6% and knocking down 17 threes.
Will the Lakers Win on the Road?
The Lakers improved to 12-8 on the season with a narrow 105-104 win over the Jazz on Sunday. Despite being favored by 5 points, L.A. didn’t cover the spread. The total score of 209 points fell well short of the 225.5 O/U line.
L.A. took control in the middle quarters, outscoring Utah 60-54, and entered the 4th quarter with an 86-81 lead. However, the Jazz made a push in the final period, outscoring the Lakers 23-19, but L.A. held on for the win.
In their win over the Jazz, the Lakers managed just 7 threes, shooting 21.2% from deep and 44.3% overall. Anthony Davis led the way with 33 points and 11 rebounds, hitting 52% from the field and making 2 threes at 50% efficiency.
LeBron James contributed 27 points and 14 assists, scoring 10 points in the 4th quarter. Davis had 16 points in the 3rd, while Rui Hachimura added 6 of his 13 points in the final period.
Despite allowing the Jazz to shoot 50% from the field, the Lakers’ defense held strong in the 4th quarter, giving up just 23 points to secure a 105-104 win. They also limited Utah’s three-point shooting, allowing 14 made threes on 35% shooting.
Los Angeles sent the Jazz to the free-throw line 16 times, where they converted 10 attempts. The Lakers finished with 32 defensive rebounds, gave up 8 offensive boards, and recorded 7 steals and 4 blocks.
Can the Timberwolves Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?
The Timberwolves edged closer to .500 with a 93-92 win over the Clippers on Friday, moving to 9-10 for the season. Playing at home, Minnesota was favored by 6.5 points but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 185 fell well short of the 212.5 O/U line.
Minnesota led 72-68 going into the 4th quarter, but the Clippers went on a 10-0 run, stretching their lead to 97-82. The Timberwolves rallied to close the gap and secure the win.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 21 points and 4 made threes in their 93-92 win over the Clippers, despite shooting just 33.3% from the field. Mike Conley added 13 points, hitting 3 threes at a 60% clip, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Timberwolves made 15 threes, shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc, and finished with an overall field goal percentage of 41.3%. Edwards scored 8 points in the 3rd quarter, and added 6 more in the 4th.
The Timberwolves’ defense was stellar, holding the Clippers to just 92 points in their win on Friday. Minnesota gave up 25 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd, allowing only 22 points. They were even better in the 3rd, giving up just 21 points, and they finished strong, allowing 24 points in the 4th.
Minnesota’s defense limited the Clippers to 42% shooting from the field, including just 10 made threes on 32% shooting. The Timberwolves also sent the Clippers to the free-throw line only 13 times, where they made 10. On the boards, Minnesota grabbed 38 defensive rebounds while allowing 8 offensive boards. They also recorded 8 steals and 5 blocks.