Timberwolves vs Lakers Picks caps off a play-in Tuesday night slate. This nightcap gives us some challenges to try our hand at late-night betting. While there is no value in Los Angeles on the moneyline, we examine other options. Bovada online sportsbook gives us a few more early plays. Remember these excellent betting site bonuses on Tuesday to lend some wings to a sagging bankroll.
Timberwolves vs Lakers picks for this Tuesday night feature a considerable amount of volatility. The hope lies in the fact that everyone stops in-fighting and gets down to playing basketball. After all, the seventh and eighth seeds in the West have to win to get into the actual playoffs. Now, there are some things to consider when it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers.
This Los Angeles home game concerns us a lot because of how mediocre the Lakers are at home. Los Angeles possesses a mark of 23-18 at home but 21-19-1 overall ATS. Minnesota comes in at 20-21 away from home with a solid 21-20 ATS road mark. Obviously, one of the biggest points of contention was the status of Rudy Gobert. Well, that has been cleared up with ease.
With a short-handed lineup, Minnesota appears to be at a loss here. Considering overall, both teams come in pretty hot. The Lakers have won eight of their previous ten, while the Timberwolves have won seven of their last ten contests. Minnesota has a slightly better conference record at 29-23 and a divisional record at 8-8. It is nothing great, but the belief is the Timberwolves may have more chemistry with Gobert than without Gobert at this point.
So, based on the current injury report and projections, looking at Minnesota laying 7.5 points with a small wager is worth monitoring (-110). Suppose this goes out to 8 or 8.5, green light this even more. Now, this becomes feasible because this is Los Angeles. Anything the Lakers should easily do something, they do not. Even getting into the play-in round the way they did was unexpected, to say the least.
So, the Timberwolves vs Lakers picks lean on the over. Minnesota knows they are missing key pieces to go up against the Lakers. That means the Timberwolves are pushing the pace of play at the risk of allowing more points defensively. Yes, this Los Angeles team allows nearly 117 points per game. The Lakers score 117.2 points a night. With the Minnesota hot streak, they evened their scoring margin at 115.8 points per game.
VegasBetting asks whether this 231.5 number can hit with ease. That answer screams no. Nothing ever comes easy in Los Angeles. However, the idea is that there is better than a 50% chance of success here. We talk in the 52-53% range based on the last 25 games. Also, LeBron James is 38 and essentially played 2/3 of a season for a moment like this. He will push it offensively at the expense of defense too.
It is a technicality to be mentioned, but this round is a play-in round to get to the playoffs. However, the second season has not been kind since that first pandemic year. For those wondering, they beat Minnesota in Minnesota as the two teams combined for 234 points. Also, not everyone from the offensive side of the ball was healthy for that clash.
Yes, NBA Vegas online betting sites count on enticing game props. Such as the Lakers might go over 119.5 points (+125). This game could become a contest where Minnesota gets 115 points or more. Let’s pick the over for now and then plunge into the rest of these bets.
The Timberwolves vs Lakers Picks challenge us when considering props and a possible hedge. This postseason err second season, becomes a series of mini-slates that test the patience of many. Betting at this stage could be the worst because it is not a best-of-seven playoff series. Honestly, these games are their own animal, separate from Round 1 and the first 82 contests.
NBA online prop bets love Karl-Anthony Towns and the PRA prop (points, rebounds, and assists) of 38.5. This one rolls in at -115, which is unusually generous. Kyle Anderson (also from Minnesota) has a PRA of only 26.5 (-110). Hey, that may be even more hook-worthy for Tuesday night. Again, the Lakers are going to give up their points, and Gobert told him to grab a board.
Okay, what about a few more defensive choices? What about them? The best thing for this game is to look more at the offensive side of the ball. Few things look comforting defensively. Los Angeles plays at a pace of 101.3 (third in the NBA). That number climbs to around 102 at home.
Finally, let’s look at a potential fun hedge. If one asks hey, where do I wager a couple of dollars Tuesday night, toss it on the Minnesota moneyline wherever it may roam err lie. Right now, it is +280. If that number goes beyond +300, take a shot. What is the worst that could happen?
So, watch these NBA Play-In games. Frustration gets painful for bettors in these because the perceived home-court advantage may not be as strong in some contests as in others. It gets one ready for playoff betting – for better or worse.
Chris Wassel is someone who has covered a little bit of everything: business, writing, sports, food, grilling, the Olympics, injuries, politics, and more. He has climbed mountains like Mount Washington and Mount San Jacinto in Palm Springs, California, and for those who don’t know, he is also big into food challenges. With friends like Joey Chestnut and Casey Webb, Chris has tackled eating feats like finishing a 16-pound turkey or a 32-inch meat lover's pizza. Since 2013, he has focused on fitness, fishing, and sports while managing to fit in running, hiking, rock climbing, and even the occasional mini-triathlon. He can lift more than his body weight with ease and is the person you turn to when you want to know if a NASCAR rain delay means a Monday race. Over his career, Chris has worked at places like Amazon, USA Today, and various rumors and fantasy sports sites. He has been nominated for awards such as the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hockey Writer of the Year and has a collection of high-stakes fantasy trophies and rings on display at home. With all this, Chris sums it up best with his motto: "Shut up and play."