It has taken awhile for rookie head coach Luke Walton to get the Los Angeles Lakers going. But since January 7 the Lakers have caught fire as one of the surprising betting on NBA Games values. The question now is if the mathematical gravity soon catches up with LA. Walton’s team lacks a marquee scorer and a dependable defense. The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the great stories of the NBA season as Northwest Division leaders. They are likely to end a playoff draught that extends back to 2004. The Wolves host the Lakers on Thursday night.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Date and Time: Thursday, February 15, 2018, 9 p.m. Eastern
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
Lakers +10 (-110) 225 (-110)
Timberwolves -10 (-110) 225 (-110)
Lakers vs. Timberwolves TV Coverage: TNT
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been in a betting on NBA games slump lately. They are 1-3 straight up and 0-4 against the spread in their last four games. The Wolves are coming off a bad 126-108 home loss to Houston. Over the total has hit in Minnesota’s last five games. Offense is the strength of head coach Tom Thibodeau’s team. Jimmy Butler is the trigger man with a team best 22.4 points per game. The Timberwolves rank sixth best in the Association for scoring offense. A defense that ranks 19th in the NBA is of concern. Ironically enough Thibodeau made his reputation as a defensive guru at Chicago. There is cause to believe he can get it tightened up for the stretch run.
The Los Angeles Lakers have got the money in seven out of their last ten games. They have gone under the total in four out of their last five games. Luke Walton’s team is coming off a 130-123 loss at Dallas. Overall LA is 23-32 straight up and 29-26 against the spread. In road games the Lakers are 13-14 against the spread. The main problem for Walton is getting his 25th ranked defense to play better. The offense ranks a respectable 11th in the NBA. Brandon Ingram is the Lakers top scorer with a modest 16 points per game. That is indicative of LA’s lack of a superstar marquee player. Kobe Bryant has left quite a void that has yet to be filled.
Minnesota has held the recent sports betting edge in their series with the Lakers. The Timberwolves have paid out in three out of their last four games against LA. Eight out of the last ten games in this series have gone over the total. At the Target Center Minnesota has come away with the money in their last three games against the Lakers. Over the total has hit in three out of the last four games in this series at Minnesota.
Matchup to Watch
Jimmy Butler and balance give the Wolves a decided betting on NBA Games matchup edge. The Lakers are still a losing team that may be outperforming their natural ability. Minnesota doesn’t take nights off. Thibodeau will have his team ready.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves NBA games Betting Odds Picks
The Minnesota Timberwolves have the complete advantage. They also have the historic trends over the Lakers.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Timberwolves 115, Lakers 99 Check out Minnesota’s Jimmy Butler and his All Star profile.