A 9-1 stretch has propelled the Los Angeles Lakers out of the lesser Play-In game for the time being. LeBron James & Co. can even think about slipping out of the Play-In Tournament entirely, though those NBA odds are still unlikely.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have pole position to be the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference despite playing the last month without Karl-Anthony Towns.
With all due respect to the best shooting big man in NBA history, his absence may actually help the Timberwolves tonight, given how much he's always struggled to defend Anthony Davis.
That is not the reason to fade Los Angeles tonight, though, but there is further reason once looking closely at this 9-1 stretch. We will back Minnesota in our free NBA picks as we preview Timberwolves vs. Lakers on Sunday, April 7, with tip set for 10:00 ET.
Timberwolves vs Lakers predictions
My best bet: Timberwolves moneyline (+110 at FanDuel)
The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Cavaliers handily yesterday afternoon, but that should come with the asterisk of Donovan Mitchell not yet looking 100%. The Cleveland star has shot 34.5% in his four games back from a two-week absence due to a knee bone bruise, including 24.1% from deep. Routing this version of the Cavs is not as impressive as it seems on paper.
That can be said of pretty much all of L.A.'s wins in this 9-1 stretch. Five wins were against teams below .500. A sixth was against the Joel Embiid-less 76ers, a roster construction that is 14-27 this season. Remember that Donovan Mitchell is not yet firing on all cylinders and that makes seven of nine wins that were far from surprises. They should have effectively been assumed.
Beating the Pacers and the Bucks in back-to-back games at the end of March was impressive, but then again, Milwaukee is under .500 with Doc Rivers as its head coach.
So, well done Los Angeles, you beat Indiana in a track meet.
That is not enough to engender the confidence in the Lakers that is starting to develop. Winning nine out of 10 games has created a chance to sell high on Los Angeles.
Just before this stretch, the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 120-109. Some caution should be used when pondering that game and evaluating tonight’s. Minnesota was still only three games removed from losing Towns and the offense had not yet found its proper groove without him.
Then it did, with the Timberwolves having gone 10-3 since that loss, including three wins over quality teams with no asterisks attached to them. That should be considered more impressive than Los Angeles’s 9-1 stretch, even if tonight’s odds do not portray it that way.
Timberwolves vs Lakers same-game parlay
Timberwolves moneyline
Anthony Davis Over 24.5 points
Lakers first-half -0.5
No matter how they try, the Timberwolves have not been able to slow Anthony Davis in a Lakers jersey. In five games against Minnesota with Towns in the lineup, Davis has averaged 34.8 points. In two full games against Minnesota without Towns, he's averaged 32.5 points. He's scored 25+ points in six of those seven games.
It has begun to defy understanding. Davis has no particular reason to hold a grudge against the Timberwolves. They certainly have a great defense and big men to guard him.
It does not matter. Davis scores, most consistently at the free throw line, averaging 10.9 attempts per game. There's little reason to expect that to change.
What should change is Los Angeles’ verve late. The Lakers' win yesterday was not particularly easy, even if the final margin was 19 points. Davis and James played 36 minutes apiece.
Their legs may fail late, but given the urgency of this game and the standings, Los Angeles should get out fast. Adding that thought to our best bet creates massive value in this counter-intuitive SGP
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Timberwolves vs Lakers odds and trends
Timberwolves vs Lakers live odds
Timberwolves vs Lakers opening odds
- Spread: Minnesota +3 | Los Angeles -3
- Moneyline: Minnesota +135 | Los Angeles -160
- Over/Under: Over 220 | Under 220
Timberwolves vs Lakers spread and Over/Under analysis
- This spread opened with Minnesota a 4-point underdog late on Saturday, a number that fell to +3 by Sunday’s sunrise and then to +2 before most people had found their first coffee, some books then reaching +1.5 midday.
- The total fell with the spread, opening at 225.5 and dropping to 220 by Sunday morning and then to 218.5 before lunchtime.
- The Lakers have skewed toward the Over this season, going 43-34-1, including 6-4 in this recent impressive stretch. So that drop in the total and the spread coincides with some faith in Minnesota.
Timberwolves vs Lakers trend
Minnesota is 2-3 outright as an underdog of +6 or less since Karl-Anthony Towns suffered a meniscus injury in early March. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Lakers.
Timberwolves vs Lakers game info
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date: | Sunday, April 7, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Spectrum SportsNet, Bally Sports North |
Not intended for use in MA.
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