Timberwolves vs. Lakers Betting Preview | Game 2 Picks

Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33 SU, 40-42 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (50-32 SU, 45-37 ATS)

When: Tuesday, April 22nd, 10:00 PM (ET)

Where: Crypto.com Arena, CA, Los Angeles

TV: TNT

Point Spread: Min +5.5/LAL -5.5

Total: 210.5

Money Line: Minnesota Timberwolves +202/-243

Notable Injuries

Timberwolves

• Rob Dillingham (Out) Ankle

Lakers

• Maxi Kleber (Out) Foot

At 10:00 ET, the Lakers (-243) will host the Timberwolves (+202) in a Western Conference matchup. Minnesota (49-33) has won four straight and is 6th in the West, while Los Angeles (50-32) has dropped two in a row and is 3rd in the conference.

The over/under line for this game is 210.5. TNT will televise the action from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Recent Form

The Timberwolves improved to 49-33 this season with a 117-95 road win over the Lakers on Saturday. Minnesota entered the game as +4.5 point underdogs and not only won but covered the spread with a +22 point margin. The game’s total points ended at 212, just under the 215.5 O/U line.

After trailing 28-21 in the 1st quarter, the Timberwolves turned the game around with a 14-0 run, taking the score from 59-48 to 62-59. They dominated the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Lakers 38-20, and continued to control the game by winning the 3rd quarter 35-30 and the 4th quarter 23-17.

The Lakers fell to 50-32 on the season after a 117-95 home loss to the Timberwolves on Saturday. Los Angeles, favored by 4.5 points, not only lost but failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 212 points came in just under the 215.5-point line.

After leading 28-21 in the 1st quarter, the Lakers were outscored 38-20 in the 2nd, with Minnesota going on a pivotal 14-0 run. The Timberwolves extended their lead to 94-78 by the end of the 3rd quarter and closed out the game by outscoring the Lakers 23-17 in the 4th.

The Historicals

In terms of betting, Minnesota has an ATS record of 3-2 in the previous five matchups vs Los Angeles. This mark has come on an average scoring margin of +9 points per game in favor of the Timberwolves. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 0-5. Combined, they averaged 201 points in these games.

Analysis

The Timberwolves shot 51.2% from the field and knocked down 21 threes at a 50% clip in their win over the Lakers. Jaden McDaniels led the way with 25 points and nine rebounds, hitting three threes without a miss.

Naz Reid added 23 points, connecting on six threes, while Anthony Edwards contributed 22 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, making four threes. Reid scored 13 of his points in the 2nd quarter.

The Timberwolves put on a defensive clinic against the Lakers, holding them to just 95 points on 39% shooting. Minnesota’s defense was particularly strong in the 2nd and 4th quarters, where they allowed only 20 and 17 points, respectively.

From beyond the arc, the Timberwolves limited the Lakers to 15 threes on 36% shooting. They sent the Lakers to the line 16 times, where they made 14 free throws. Minnesota also recorded eight steals and four blocks in the game.

In their 117-95 loss to the Timberwolves, the Lakers shot just 39.8% from the field. They hit 15 threes at a 36.6% clip, with Luka Dončić making five from deep at 50% efficiency.

Dončić led the way with 37 points and eight rebounds, scoring 16 points in the 1st quarter and another 11 in the 3rd. Austin Reaves added 14 of his 16 points in the 3rd quarter, while LeBron James contributed 19 points, with 10 coming in the 2nd quarter.

The Lakers’ defense struggled in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, giving up 38 and 35 points, respectively, in their 117-95 loss to the Timberwolves. They did manage to tighten up in the 1st and 4th quarters, allowing just 21 and 23 points.

Overall, the Lakers allowed Minnesota to shoot 51% from the field, including 50% from beyond the arc, where the Timberwolves hit 21 threes. Los Angeles sent Minnesota to the line 10 times, where they made eight free throws. The Lakers recorded five steals and four blocks.

Betting Trends

• Across their last five road contests, Minnesota has been good against the spread, posting a mark of 3-2. Their overall mark in these games was 4-1 while averaging 116 points per game.
• In their last five home games, Los Angeles has averaged 114 points per game while allowing 113. The team’s record in this stretch was 3-2 while going 3-2 vs. the spread.
• The Timberwolves have played well in their last five games as the betting underdog, going 4-1 straight up and 4-1 against the spread.
• In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Lakers have a straight up record of 5-5 and an ATS mark of 4-6.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Minnesota came into LA and shocked everyone with their dominant performance on Saturday night. However, I wouldn’t be counting on another career three-point shooting night from Naz Reid, and I see J.J. Redick making some adjustments on both ends of the floor. Look for a big game from Luka in this one, and I expect the Lakers to win and cover.