Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 12/2/2024 8:00 PM EST
We have your Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Los Angeles Lakers hit the road to face the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves Odds Info
Best Moneyline Odds: Los Angeles Lakers +250 (FanDuel) / Minnesota Timberwolves -278 (BetRivers)
Best Spread Odds: -7.5 - Los Angeles Lakers -110 (BetMGM) / -7.0 - Minnesota Timberwolves -113 (BetRivers)
Best Total Odds: 221.5 - Under -110 (BetMGM) / 221.0 - Over -110 (bet365)
Game Info
Date: 12/2/2024
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Location: Target Center (Minneapolis, MN)
TV: NBA TV
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends
- On the road, the Los Angeles Lakers have 5 wins and 5 losses this season.
- As the favorite, the Los Angeles Lakers have 1 wins and 5 losses this season.
- This season, the Los Angeles Lakers have hit 9 overs and 11 unders.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends
- At home, the Minnesota Timberwolves have 6 wins and 4 losses this season.
- As the favorite, the Minnesota Timberwolves have 9 wins and 9 losses this season.
- This season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have hit 10 overs and 9 unders.
Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis
Over the past two seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves have faced off five times. In these encounters, the Timberwolves have emerged victorious on three occasions, while the Lakers have claimed two wins. The home team has generally held the advantage, winning four out of the five games, with the visiting team securing just one victory. When it comes to covering the spread, the Lakers have been more successful, achieving this in four of the five games, whereas the Timberwolves have managed to cover the spread only once. In terms of scoring trends, the games have gone over the set total three times and under twice.
The most recent matchup between these two teams took place on October 22, 2024, where the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103. In this game, the Lakers were the home team and managed to cover the spread, which was set at 1.0 in their favor. The game total fell under the over-under line of 224.0. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with an impressive 36 points, while Rui Hachimura and LeBron James contributed 18 and 16 points, respectively. The Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards was the top scorer for his team with 27 points, supported by Julius Randle's 16 points and Rudy Gobert's 13 points. The Lakers demonstrated strong defensive capabilities, recording 8 blocks and 7 steals, and capitalized on the Timberwolves' 16 turnovers.
In terms of shooting efficiency, the Lakers shot 44.2% from the field and 84.0% from the free-throw line, while the Timberwolves managed 41.2% from the field and 74.1% from the line. The Lakers also dominated in the paint, scoring 72 points compared to the Timberwolves' 40. Despite being slightly out-rebounded with 46 boards to the Timberwolves' 47, the Lakers' defensive efforts and ability to convert turnovers into points were key factors in their victory. This game highlighted the Lakers' ability to leverage their home-court advantage and execute a strong defensive strategy against the Timberwolves.
Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in what promises to be an intriguing matchup at the Target Center. The Lakers, currently holding a 12-8 record, are coming off a narrow victory against the Utah Jazz, where they managed to eke out a 105-104 win. This victory was hard-fought, with LeBron James delivering a crucial driving layup to secure the win, despite struggling from beyond the arc. James, who is nearing his 40th birthday, has been a pivotal figure for the Lakers, averaging 25.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists against the Timberwolves in his career. However, his recent form has shown signs of fatigue, which could be a factor in this back-to-back scenario.
On the other hand, the Timberwolves, with a 9-10 record, have had a mixed season so far. They are coming off a close 93-92 victory over the Clippers, with Anthony Edwards leading the charge. Edwards has been a standout performer for Minnesota, averaging 27.7 points per game. The Timberwolves have a solid home record of 6-4 and will be looking to capitalize on their rest advantage, having not played since Saturday. Historically, the Timberwolves have been strong at home against the Lakers, winning 12 of the last 14 meetings at the Target Center.
Both teams have shown contrasting trends in their recent games. The Lakers have been involved in high-scoring affairs, with their games often going over the set total. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have been more defensively oriented, ranking seventh in the league in points allowed per game. This clash of styles will be a key factor in determining the outcome of the game. The Lakers will need to find their shooting rhythm, especially from beyond the arc, to challenge the Timberwolves' defense effectively. As the game unfolds, the ability of both teams to execute their game plans will be crucial in what is expected to be a closely contested encounter.
Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves Pick: Total Points Over
In the upcoming matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, the total points over is an enticing pick. Both teams have shown tendencies that suggest a high-scoring affair could be on the horizon. The Lakers, despite their recent struggles from beyond the arc, have been involved in games that often exceed the set total. Their recent victory against the Utah Jazz, where they scored 105 points, is indicative of their ability to put up points even when not firing on all cylinders. LeBron James, despite nearing his 40th birthday, continues to be a pivotal offensive force, averaging 25.7 points per game against the Timberwolves in his career. His ability to drive the offense, coupled with Anthony Davis's scoring prowess, ensures that the Lakers have multiple avenues to rack up points.
On the other side, the Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 27.7 points per game, have shown they can keep pace offensively. Their recent 93-92 win over the Clippers highlights their capability to engage in close, high-scoring contests. The Timberwolves' home advantage, where they have a solid 6-4 record, further bolsters their scoring potential. Historically, games between these two teams have seen the total go over in three of their last five encounters, suggesting a trend towards higher scores when they meet.
Moreover, the Lakers' defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in transition, could be exploited by the Timberwolves, who are adept at capitalizing on such opportunities. The Lakers have allowed opponents to score an average of 113.4 points in their last ten games, which aligns with the Timberwolves' offensive capabilities. Given these factors, the over on the total points line appears to be a strong play, as both teams have the offensive firepower and recent form to push the score beyond the set threshold.
Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves Top Player Prop Picks
LeBron James Over 1.5 3Fgm -140 (bet365)
LeBron James, despite nearing his 40th birthday, remains a pivotal offensive force for the Los Angeles Lakers. While his recent shooting from beyond the arc has been inconsistent, going 0-for-9 in his last outing against the Utah Jazz, the matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves presents an opportunity for redemption. Historically, James has averaged 25.7 points per game against the Timberwolves, and his ability to adapt and overcome shooting slumps is well-documented. The Timberwolves' defense, while solid, has allowed opponents to find success from the perimeter, ranking 10th in opponent three-point percentage. Given James's track record and the Lakers' need for perimeter scoring, betting on him to exceed 1.5 made three-pointers is a calculated risk with potential upside.
Anthony Davis Over 12.5 Rebounds +108 (FanDuel)
Anthony Davis has been a dominant force on the boards for the Lakers, consistently posting double-doubles and showcasing his rebounding prowess. In the recent victory over the Utah Jazz, Davis led the team with 33 points and was instrumental in securing crucial rebounds. His recent form has seen him grab ten or more rebounds in multiple games, and against a Timberwolves team that has been slightly out-rebounded in past encounters, Davis is poised to continue his dominance. The Timberwolves' interior defense, while formidable, will have its hands full with Davis's athleticism and tenacity. With the Lakers relying heavily on Davis's contributions in the paint, the over on 12.5 rebounds is a strong play.
Anthony Edwards Over 32.5 Points Rebounds Assists -108 (FanDuel)
Anthony Edwards has been the standout performer for the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging 27.7 points per game and consistently impacting the game across multiple facets. His recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular, and against a Lakers team that has shown vulnerabilities in transition defense, Edwards is well-positioned to exploit these weaknesses. The Lakers have allowed an average of 113.4 points in their last ten games, providing Edwards with ample opportunities to fill the stat sheet. His ability to score, rebound, and assist makes the over on 32.5 points, rebounds, and assists an enticing proposition, especially given his pivotal role in the Timberwolves' offensive schemes.