Timberwolves and Lakers Predictions and Betting Tips 3 Dec 2024 - NBA Prediction
NLB Staff
01.12.2024 18:14
Timberwolves and Lakers Prediction
As the Minnesota Timberwolves go into this game having been heavily struggling to find consistency this season, they play a Lakers squad that keeps building together as a team heading into the game. This Timberwolves unit won their last game 93-92 against Los Angeles, while the Lakers lost a tough game to Oklahoma City. This matchup will occur on November 3rd at 6:30 A.M. IST in Target Center of Minneapolis. Underneath are our key betting tips, top player props, vital injuries, and head-to-head matchups to create a prediction for this game.
Timberwolves and Lakers Betting Tips & Predictions
1. Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Moneyline Pick
As the money line is at -171 for Los Angeles, they should win it due to their elite prowess as the better two-way roster. Led by Austin Reaves and Cam Reddish in the backcourt, they should have a very competitive matchup against Anthony Edwards plus Mike Conley. Having a piece like Rui Hachimura with Lebron James at the wing positions, they will easily outscore Jaden McDaniels plus Julius Randle. Seeing that Anthony Davis is a way more efficient offensive player than Rudy Gobert, Los Angeles should win their -171 spread and 2nd straight vs Minnesota.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Point Spread Pick
Knowing that the Lakers have a -3.5 spread, they should win it as they have shown more consistency this season. Led by an all-around guard in Austin Reaves who can pass and shoot, he can finish inside through elite dribbling. Going up against a slower defender in Mike Conley who has shown a regression on defense, Reaves should score with ease and own the perimeter areas as well. Having a great shooting guard in Cam Reddish, he should have a very strong defensive performance against Anthony Edwards. Even though Edwards will score a lot of points, it won’t be at a very highly efficient rate and could cause Reddish to have multiple turnovers for opportunities on the other end. Having Rui Hachimura as a bigger piece than Jaden McDaniels, he should win the rebounding advantage and dominate the scoring from deep. As McDaniels will score too, Hachimura will have a stronger defensive performance by creating more blocks with ease. Having Lebron James against Julius Randle causes a mismatch because the Los Angeles forward is a much stronger plus scorer who can rebound with ease as well. Having Anthony Davis outduel Rudy Gobert gives this Lakers squad an easy -3.5 spread win.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Over/Under Pick (Total Points)
With the over/under in this game being at 222.5 points, it should be fairly high-scoring as both squads have very solid offenses. As Minnesota has an elite shooting guard that continues dominating from all over, their small forward has become a three-point force. Having a power forward that can knock down the mid-range or closer shots, this group has several pieces off the bench to provide additional scoring. On Los Angeles’s side, they have a point guard who can play an all-around game while their small forward has continued being very aggressive as a finisher. Having a power-forward/center duo that can score at their own will, their bench pieces will continue playing a vital impact in scoring. As these two teams combined for 213 points last time out, they should go well over that in this game.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Top Player Props
Mike Conley under 11.5 points at 1.81: As the Timberwolves point guard has had trouble scoring consistently this year, he will struggle against a stronger defense. Going up against Austin Reaves, this guard will not be able to find his ability to drive in or knock down deep shots. Being someone who averages 8.5 points a game, he should hit the under in this game.
Lebron James over 20.5 points at 1.91: Being an aggressive inside finisher who can hit the mid-range as well, he should continue dominating in this game. Matching up against Julius Randle, Lebron should have another night where he can dunk and create inside or outside. As Lebron has averaged 22.3 points a night, he should hit the over in this game.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Injury News & Impact
Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries: As the Timberwolves don’t have any injuries at the moment, they will continue running with their same lineups in this matchup.
Los Angeles Lakers Injuries: With Jarred Vanderbilt still out due to a foot injury, this group will miss Jaxson Hayes, 4.5 rebounds, as their top backup center.
Timberwolves and Lakers Head-to-Head Trends
As the Lakers won their last matchup against Minnesota, they hope to build on this streak as a stronger two-way unit. With the Lakers having scored over 100 points 10 times in a row, they have averaged 115.6 points during their past 3 games vs Minnesota. Seeing that the Lakers are 2-1 against spread over the past three matchups, they should continue building on that record.
Betting Insights & Public Trends
Looking at the betting trends in this game, this Lakers squad is backed by 62.0% of bettors to beat Minnesota during the game.
Timberwolves and Lakers Final Prediction
As the Minnesota Timberwolves have really struggled to find any momentum this season, they play a much improved Lakers squad that continues playing harder. Knowing that Los Angeles hopes to keep their great play continue, Austin Reaves will be a great guard who provides scoring and passing for their squad. Having a great matchup against Mike Conley, his speed to drive in plus his ability to create for others is a huge advantage versus this Timberwolves squad. As Reaves can make transition offense through his greatness of forcing steals, he should dominate Conley throughout. With Cam Reddish being an amazing wing defender who can help guard someone like Anthony Edwards, his prowess should slow down one of the top-tier scorers. Knowing Reddish can move side-to-side, he will be able to not let Edwards run loose while continuously keeping a check on his dribbling.
With the Lakers having Rui Hachimura as one of the most aggressive small forwards, his ability to rebound and finish has been key for this unit. Having been someone who continues to show an improvement in his three-point game as well, he should close out on Jaden McDaniels one. Seeing that McDaniels is mostly just a perimeter shooter, it will be much easier for someone like Hachimura to create blocks when he tries going inside and creating extra opportunities on the other end. With Lebron James having a great passing game that should let many other pieces get open throughout, he should score more than Julius Randle as well. Someone who will keep the rebounding numbers close against a weaker defender like Randle who has missed a lot of shots this season, James should have much more efficient scoring. With Anthony Davis being an MVP-level center against Rudy Gobert, Dalton Knecht and Max Christie will come off the bench for Los Angeles, while Naz Reid plus Donte Divencenzio hope to make it closer for Minnesota.
Our prediction: The Los Angeles Lakers will win this game and cover their -3.5 spread, while the score goes over 222.5 points
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