Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves betting tips and predictions for Tuesday’s NBA play-in game on TNT. The Lakers and Timberwolves square off at crypto.com Arena with the number 7 seed in the Western Conference on the line. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James once again turned back the clock and delivered another 36 point performance in the win over Utah on the final day of the season. James drained 8 threes in the win, proving once again he is one of the 10 best offensive players in the NBA, even at the age of 38. Sadly for Lakers fans that didn’t elevate them in the standings as both the Warriors and Clippers won, but they can still enter the playoffs as the 7th seed if they beat Minnesota.
They lost the regular season series 2-1, but the 3rd meeting was played just 10 days ago and the Lakers were able to come out on top which is encouraging. Since the trade deadline this team has the best defensive rating in the NBA and a top 3 record, so the Grizzlies will have their hands full if LA secures the 7th seed here.
Minnesota Timberwolves
It was a chaotic ending to the regular season for the Timberwolves who almost blew everything thanks to center Rudy Gobert who punched teammate Kyle Anderson after an altercation on the bench. They were still able to beat the Pelicans by 5 points which guarantees them 2 play-in games, winning just 1 of them gets them into the postseason.
Gobert won’t be a part of the game vs the Lakers as the team suspended him for 1 game. That might not necessarily be a bad thing as the chemistry between him and power forward Karl-Anthony Towns hasn’t been the best. Minnesota’s hopes will lie in the hands of Anthony Edwards who has shown signs of brilliance in his young career, this could be a defining moment of his career if he can beat LeBron James and his Lakers.
There is just too much drama around the Timberwolves for me to consider them here. LA has been consistent since the trade deadline, they’ve won 6 of 7 games entering this contest and they’re also 5-1 SU in their last 6 played. I’ll take my chances with the Lakers in this one.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions & Odds
LA might be known for their tough defense, but the Timberwolves play a vastly different style as they like to push the tempo. That’ll be their only hope of getting a result here, so I can definitely see them trying to run the Lakers out of their own building. On the road this season Minnesota finished with a 22-19 record on the O/U. For the Lakers the over has been the bet to wager as it has now landed in 8 games in a row.
This team is capable of getting stops whenever needed, especially in tight situations. But, they’re also capable of putting up a ton of points against teams like the Timberwolves and that type of versatility is the biggest strength of this roster. The over has cashed in 6 straight Lakers games vs Western Conference teams, I think after this game it’ll be 7 in a row. Back the points.
