Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Betting Pick & Prediction 2/27/25
At 10:30 ET, the Lakers (-219) will host the Timberwolves (+183) at Crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles (-5.5) is currently on a three-game win streak and is favored in this Western Conference matchup. Minnesota is 7th in the West and 3rd in the Northwest Division.
This game will be televised on SN-LA and the over/under line is 225 points.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS LOS ANGELES LAKERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Los Angeles Lakers -5.5
This game will be played at Crypto.com Arena at 10:30 ET on Thursday, February 27th.
WHY BET THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 127-97 in favor of the Lakers.
- Our projections have LeBron James finishing with 25 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists.
- From the field, we have the Lakers finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.5% and knocking down 15 threes.
Will Minnesota Come Through as Road Underdogs?
The Timberwolves improved to 32-27 on the season with a 131-128 win over the Thunder on Monday. Minnesota entered the game as +11.5 point underdogs and covered the spread with the win. The total points for the game were 259, surpassing the O/U line of 228.
After trailing 102-80 going into the 4th quarter, the Timberwolves held the Thunder to 19 points while scoring 41 of their own. A key 16-0 run helped Minnesota turn the game around, as they went from trailing 121-106 to leading 137-106.
Jaden McDaniels led the Timberwolves with 27 points and 10 rebounds in their win over the Thunder, shooting 56.2% from the field. Naz Reid added 22 points and 11 boards, though he struggled with his shot, hitting just 33.3% from the field and 25% from three-point range.
As a team, the Timberwolves connected on just 9 threes, shooting 28.1% from beyond the arc and 45.4% overall. Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 21 points, including 4 in overtime, while Terrence Shannon scored 11 of his 17 points in the 4th quarter.
Despite giving up 128 points, the Timberwolves tightened up defensively in the 4th quarter, allowing just 19 points to secure the win. They gave up 32 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters and 38 in the 3rd. Overall, they held the Thunder to 42% shooting.
Minnesota limited Oklahoma City to 30% from three-point range, with the Thunder hitting 15 threes. The Timberwolves sent the Thunder to the line 29 times, where they made 23 free throws. Defensively, the Timberwolves recorded 6 steals and 5 blocks.
Can Los Angeles Live Up to the Hype at Home?
With a 107-99 win over the Mavericks on Tuesday, the Lakers improved to 35-21 this season. Playing at home, Los Angeles was favored by 9 points but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 206 fell well short of the O/U line of 231.
The Lakers took an early lead, going up 28-20 after the 1st quarter. The teams traded points in the 2nd, both scoring 31. Dallas made a push in the 3rd, outscoring the Lakers 26-19, but Los Angeles responded in the 4th, winning the quarter 29-22 to seal the victory.
LeBron James delivered 16 of his 27 points in the 4th quarter, leading the Lakers to a win over the Mavericks. He shot 64.7% from the field and hit 2 threes at a 50% rate. Austin Reaves added 20 points, with 10 coming in the 2nd quarter, and made 3 threes at 37.5%.
The Lakers struggled from deep, hitting just 11 threes at 27.5%, with an overall shooting percentage of 44.8%. Luka Dončić contributed 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, though he shot only 35.3% from the field.
The Lakers put together a strong defensive performance, holding the Mavericks to just 99 points on 35% shooting. They were particularly effective in the 1st and 4th quarters, giving up only 20 and 22 points, respectively.
Despite allowing 17 threes at a 38% clip, the Lakers limited Dallas’s trips to the line, where they went 12/13. Los Angeles also recorded 7 steals and 8 blocks in the game.