At the beginning of the season Los Angeles Lakers fans and backers flooded the futures board with big money bets. The arrival of LeBron James completely flipped the NBA betting online expectations and perceptions of the Lake Show. But a perpetually problematic groin injury has been keeping James out of action. As a result, the Lakers have reverted back to what they used to be before the King arrived. LA is one of the worst teams in the NBA without James. Meanwhile Minnesota is the epitome of mediocrity. Jimmy Butler’s controversial departure has proven to be a major setback.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Date and Time: Thursday, January 24, 2019, 10:30 p.m. ET
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
Timberwolves vs. Lakers TV Coverage: TNT
Minnesota Timberwolves
Late on Minnesota has been flooding gamblers with red ink. The Wolves have covered the NBA betting online odds in just one of their last five games. Eight of their last ten games have gone over the total. More emphatically Minnesota is the last place team in the Northwest Division. In like manner the Timberwolves have failed to demonstrate any real strengths. Head coach Ryan Saunders inherited a mess from fired predecessor Tom Thibodeau. Minnesota has NBA ranks of 15th for scoring offense and 20th for points allowed.
Important Minnesota Numbers
Minnesota is 22-24 straight up, 23-23 against the board, and 25-21 over the total. Indeed, Saunders will be hard pressed to improve those numbers. Compared to other teams the Timberwolves have no actual appeal to gamblers as a team to go with.
Los Angeles Lakers
In the same way the Lakers are struggling at the sportsbook these days. Los Angeles has covered just four of their last 10 games with just three of those games clearing the total. Concurrently the Lakers are now 25-22 straight up, 20-25-2 vs. the odds and 17-29-1 under the total. LA has NBA ranks of 12th for scoring offense and 16th for points allowed.
Stats to Consider
Minnesota has been a subpar value in road games recently. As an example, the Timberwolves have paid in just four of their last 10 away matchups. Nine of their last 10 on the road have gone over the total. Balanced against that is the Lakers red ink at Staples Center. LA has paid in just two of their last nine matchups on their home court. Three of their last four at Staples Center went under the total.
Team vs. Team
Subsequently Minnesota has controlled the cashier’s cage in this head to head series. To illustrate the Timberwolves have covered six of their last seven games with the Lakers. Four of the last six between these teams went under the total. Additionally, the Wolves have come away with the cash in their last three visits to Staples Center against the Lakers. Three of the last four in this series at LA stayed under the number.
Matchup to Watch
While they may lack the star power of other teams the Timberwolves rise to the occasion against the Lakers. Especially at Staples Center. Center Karl Anthony Towns remains a top Wolves asset for NBA betting online. Towns could be the matchup difference with 22.4 points and 12.2 rebounds per game.
NBA Betting Online Picks
On the whole Minnesota is the proven play in this series.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Timberwolves 101, Lakers 95
Catch highlights of the Timberwolves recent win over the Suns!