Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Expert Picks: December 21st Preview, Betting Odds and NBA Picks

It’s the second night of a back-to-back for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. Both teams suffered road losses on Wednesday. Minnesota had the best record in the NBA ahead of yesterday’s games, but defeat to the Joel Embiid-led Sixers saw them drop to 20-6 on the season.

Read below for our analysis of Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers from US sports expert Sam Cox. For more free basketball tips, visit the bettingexpert community, and for more expert tips, visit our Expert Insights section.

• Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves -5
• Best odds: 1.87
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

Odds available as of December 21st 2023. Odds may now differ.

Go with our tip at bet365In this article:

• Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Expert Picks
• Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Game Info
• Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Betting Lines
• Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Trends
• Minnesota Timberwolves Stats & Form
• Los Angeles Lakers Stats & Form
• Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Where to Watch
• Safer Gambling

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MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS LOS ANGELES LAKERS EXPERT PICKS

The Lakers have gone 0-5 against the spread when playing with no rest. They have suffered four losses in their last five games, with their three most recent losses coming by five or more points.

Minnesota have been a force to be reckoned with on their home floor, going 8-2-2 against the spread. Where the veteran Lakers are vulnerable to fatigue with LeBron James and Anthony Davis playing 37 and 38 minutes respectively against the Bulls on Wednesday, the Timberwolves are fresher.

• Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves -5
• Best odds: 1.87
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

Odds available as of December 21st 2023. Odds may now differ.

Go with our tip at bet365

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MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS LOS ANGELES LAKERS GAME INFO

• Date: Thursday, December 21
• Time: 02:10 AM (UK time)
• Venue: Target Center – Minneapolis, Minnesota

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MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS LOS ANGELES LAKERS Betting Lines

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS LOS ANGELES LAKERS BETTING LINES
bet365 Odds	Moneyline	Over/Under 224.5	Handicap +/-5.0
Minnesota Timberwolves	1.47	1.90	1.86
Los Angeles Lakers	2.75	1.90	1.95

Odds available as of December 21st 2023. Odds may now differ.

Go with our tip at bet365

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MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS LOS ANGELES LAKERS TRENDS

• The Timberwolves’ 107.5 defensive rating is comfortably the best mark in the NBA.
• Both teams rank in the bottom 10 by their rim and three rate.
• Only four teams turn the ball over more frequently than the Timberwolves.
• The Lakers are a bottom-seven three-point shooting team in both volume and efficiency.
• The Timberwolves rank seventh in transition points per possession.

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MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES STATS & FORM

Even after a loss to the Sixers, the Timberwolves are fourth in net rating. Their defence is for real. The offence can be hot and cold, but they will look to get out and run against a Lakers team with a tendency to turn the ball over.

Minnesota’s offence is bottom 10 over the last five games. Anthony Edwards thrives on the big stage, though, and will be desperate to put up a statement performance against LeBron James. Karl-Anthony Towns has also found his role in their offence, with Chris Finch mixing and matching his three bigs throughout games.

Part of Minnesota’s defensive success has been avoiding fouls (eighth in opponent free-throw rate). They should be able to stop the Lakers getting to line, which will slow down an already struggling Los Angeles offence.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS STATS & FORM

Once again, poor outside shooting is costing the Lakers. They are 23rd in true shooting over their last five games, and rank 22nd or worse for the season in three-point frequency and percentage, per Cleaning The Glass.

If the defence is anything less than elite (which it has been of late), the Lakers are in trouble. LeBron James and Anthony Davis were both questionable for the loss to Chicago before playing big minutes, and there’s a chance one or both of the stars sit here.

Trade rumours are heating up with many of the Lakers’ roster now eligible to be moved. They have lost four of their last five. With a 5-10 ATS record on the road, we’d steer clear of the Lakers tonight and back the Timberwolves to return to winning ways.

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MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS LOS ANGELES LAKERS WHERE TO WATCH

A subscription to NBA League Pass gives fans access to games, live and on-demand, and more for the entire season and offseason.

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SAFER GAMBLING

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.