Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Regular-season NBA action will resume on Wednesday night with a compelling Western Conference clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. Coverage begins from Target Center in Minneapolis at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Score Prediction

Timberwolves 124, Lakers 116

Best Bets

Over 237 (-110) at Caesars

Lakers vs. Timberwolves Predictions

After finishing 13^th in the West with a record of 23-49 SU last year, Minnesota briefly kept that same ball rolling with another lackluster start to this season, as the Timberwolves opened with a disappointing 11-15 SU skid – while scoring just 107.7 OPPG across that span.

The Wolves have played excellent since their opening skid though, considering Minnesota boasts sturdy records of 29-15 SU and 27-15-2 ATS across their last 44 games – despite getting tagged as underdogs in 18 of those matchups.

On the other hand, the Lakers stumbled out to a surprisingly slow start to the season, as Los Angeles kicked things off with a lackluster 10-11 SU and 7-14 ATS stretch – which was primarily chalked up to growing pains associated with the offseason acquisition of Russell Westbrook.

The Lakers have maintained a similarly deficient pace since that point though, considering Los Angeles enters Wednesday riding a head-scratching 18-28 SU and 20-26 ATS skid – despite getting tagged as favorites in 26 of those matchups.

I’ll back Minnesota here, as the Wolves are 8-1 SU and ATS in their last nine games, while tallying 128.6 OPPG and allowing just 111.3 DPPG during that timeframe – likely presenting a steep uphill battle for a Lakers squad that’s averaging 111.2 OPPG across their latest 2-8 SU skid.

Lakers vs. Timberwolves Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Lakers vs. Timberwolves Betting Resources

• Matchup: Pacific vs. Northwest
• Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2022
• Venue: Target Center
• Location: Minneapolis, MN
• TV-Time: NBA League Pass - 8:00 p.m. ET
• Injury Report

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Analysis

• SU: 29-39
• ATS: 28-39-1
• O/U: 37-30-1

Regardless of the situation, sitting below .500 is an undeniable shortcoming for this Lakers squad, but to be fair, they’ve encountered several injury hurdles, so it’s tough to completely write them off, highlighted by LeBron James missing 18 games this season, while Anthony Davis has missed 31, who’s finally expected to resume on-court activities next Monday.

The Lakers can still flip the script and salvage their season in the playoffs; however, they need to get healthy first, and ultimately shoot the ball better, considering L. A. ranks 23^rd in offensive efficiency and 13^th in scoring (1.059 OE, 110.9 OPPG) – which doesn’t bode well for a squad that also ranks 17^th in defensive efficiency (1.084 DE).

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Analysis

• SU: 40-30
• ATS: 38-30-2
• O/U: 42-28

After last year’s lackluster 23-49 SU showing, Minnesota briefly sustained that same lethargic pace with another slow start to this season, as the Wolves opened with a frustrating 11-15 SU and ATS skid – with nine of those SU losses coming by 10+ PTS.

Minnesota quickly turned things around back in December though, highlighted by the Wolves boasting records of 29-15 SU and 27-15-2 ATS stretch – while averaging a lofty 119.2 OPPG across that window.

Lakers vs. Timberwolves Head-to-Head

The Lakers swept a three-game regular-season set against Minnesota last year, with the first two matchups staying under the total at an average of 217 PPG – while their final meeting soared over with a score of 137-121 (O 224). The Wolves are 2-1 SU against L. A. this season though, with all three matchups staying under the number at an average of 201 PPG.

Key Players to Watch

• LAL: LeBron James - SF (29.7 PPG, 8.2 REB, 6.2 AST)
• LAL: Russell Westrbook - PG (18 PPG, 7.5 REB, 7.1 AST)
• MIN: Karl-Anthony Towns - C (24.8 PPG, 9.9 REB, 3.8 AST)
• MIN: Anthony Edwards - SG (21 PPG, 4.7 REB, 3.7 AST)

Lakers vs. Timberwolves Betting Conclusion

I’ll back Minnesota here, as the Lakers are 2-8 SU and 2-7-1 ATS in their last ten games, while generating just 111.2 OPPG and allowing 120.4 DPPG across that window – setting the stage for an incredibly unfavorable road matchup against a Wolves squad that’s scored 124+ PTS in seven of their last nine contests (128.6 OPPG).

Lakers vs. Timberwolves Betting Trends

• The Lakers are 2-8 ATS in their last ten games.
• The Wolves are 10-5 ATS in their last 15 matchups against the Lakers.
• The total has gone OVER in five of the last seven Lakers' games.
• The Wolves are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games.
• The total has gone UNDER in four of the last five Wolves' games.
• The total has gone UNDER in five of the last six matchups between the Lakers and Wolves.

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson