Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Odds, Analysis, NBA Betting Pick
The Los Angeles Lakers (23-33) will attempt to bounce back from an embarrassing loss in the second game of a back-to-back situation on Thursday when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves (35-25) as big road underdogs.
The Lakers are coming off a 139-117 road loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, with newly acquired point guard Isaiah Thomas and head coach Luke Walton both getting ejected as they failed to cover the spread again.
Point spread: The Timberwolves opened as 9.5-point favorites; the total is at 222.5, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)
NBA betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 116.6-103.8, Timberwolves (NBA picks on every game)
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Why the Lakers can cover the spread
Los Angeles wraps up a tough three-game road trip at Minnesota after going 0-2 straight up and against the spread in the first two games.
The good news is this team was playing much better than that prior to the trip, winning four in a row both SU and ATS, according to the OddsShark NBA Database.
The Lakers have made some changes recently in picking up Thomas and Channing Frye from the Cleveland Cavaliers prior to the trade deadline, and they should only get more comfortable.
Why the Timberwolves can cover the spread
Minnesota will have the benefit of extra rest here, last playing in a 126-108 home loss to the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.
While the Timberwolves did not perform well versus the Rockets overall, they did get a game-high 35 points and 12 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns before he fouled out.
Towns made 12-of-16 shots from the field and 9-of-9 from the free-throw line, as the team converted 22-of-23 from the charity stripe overall.
Minnesota has also dominated the two meetings with Los Angeles this season, winning them by an average of 17.5 points and going 2-0 ATS.
Smart betting pick
The Lakers are already finding out why Thomas did not fit in with the Cavaliers, as he let his temper get the best of him when meeting old rival Rajon Rondo in New Orleans. They have also not played well lately in the second game of a back-to-back, dropping five straight SU and ATS under that scenario.
The Timberwolves are the much better team and will go into the All-Star Break with another easy victory and cover.
NBA betting trends
The Lakers are 4-2 ATS in their last six games.
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last five games.
The total has gone over in six of Minnesota's last eight games at home.
All NBA odds and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.
