Minnesota Timberwolves fans were overjoyed when the NBA added a visit from the Los Angeles Lakers to the schedule after neither team advanced in the NBA Cup. It was a chance to notch a win against a team in disarray while also seeing LeBron James one more time.
Half of that remains true, however, as Los Angeles came back from this short break with as many questions as ever, including James being stuck on the sideline in my Lakers vs. Timberwolves predictions.
Regardless, my NBA picks still expect a Minnesota win on Friday, December 13, led by the most reliable prop in the league.
Lakers vs Timberwolves prediction
My best bet
Anthony Edwards Over 3.5 threes (-140 at bet365)
My analysis
Anthony Edwards’ shooting has cooled off after his sensational start to the season. It had to, given no one but Steph Curry has ever started a season as prolifically from deep as Edwards did this year. Through nine games, the Minnesota Timberwolves forward was taking 56.2% of his shots from beyond the arc and making 48.1% of those attempts. He was averaging 5.6 made 3-pointers.
So when saying he has cooled off, it is hardly a criticism. Edwards is still making 42.7% of his threes this season and 4.5 of them per game. In the five games before this short break, he took 49.4% of his shots from deep, hitting at a 42.9% clip.
He has cleared this prop in 18 of 23 games, cashing each respective game’s Over in 16 of 23 contests. Taking so many 3-pointers all but assures he has a chance at clearing this number in every game until oddsmakers appropriately adjust, which they have been surprisingly reluctant to do this season.
Tonight, in particular, they should have pushed this prop higher. The Los Angeles Lakers rank No. 26 in the NBA in opponent 3-point shooting, with foes making 37.2% of their long-range shots. Allowing those threes at a middling rate (No. 15 in the NBA at 37.7 attempts per game) further compounds Los Angeles' struggles.
Edwards is already taking and making a bounty of shots from downtown, and he will be glad to do so against a defense allowing those open looks.
Lakers vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
Anthony Edwards Over 3.5 threes
Timberwolves moneyline
Under 213.5
Minnesota was playing better just before this NBA Cup-induced pause, winning four straight before a second night in Golden State ended that streak. Last season’s version of the Timberwolves defense showed up in all four of those wins, with one of them being a 109-80 demolition of Los Angeles.
The T-Wolves undoubtedly spent this week harping on that success, and they will get a chance to emphasize that facing a team missing LeBron James. The Lakers have also failed to defeat a playoff-caliber team in exactly a month, going 0-7 against teams better than .500.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Lakers vs Timberwolves odds
Lakers vs Timberwolves live odds
Lakers vs Timberwolves opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles +7 | Minnesota -7
- Moneyline: Los Angeles +235 | Minnesota -290
- Over/Under: Over 217 | Under 217
Odds courtesy of bet365
Lakers vs Timberwolves spread and Over/Under analysis
- Minnesota opened as a seven-point favorite on Wednesday night, a number that climbed to -7.5 early on Thursday and to -8 upon the news of LeBron’s absence.
- This spread peaked at -9 early on Friday before correcting to -8.5 midday.
- The total opened at 217 and moved in only one direction, reaching 214.5 on Thursday night and then 213.5 early Friday.
Lakers vs Timberwolves trend
In addition to being 0-7 outright against playoff-caliber teams in the last month, Los Angeles is also just 1-6 against the spread in those moments. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Lakers vs Timberwolves
| Location: | Target Center, Minneapolis, MN |
| Date: | Friday, 12-12-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Spectrum SportsNet, FanDuel Sports Network - North |
Lakers vs Timberwolves latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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