Los Angeles @ Minnesota picks

This year, opposing starting PGs have shot 39.8% on field goals (15th-worst in the NBA) against the Minnesota Timberwolves, identifying this as a challenging matchup. The Minnesota Timberwolves have played at the 10th-slowest pace in the NBA over the last 20 games, which should lead to decreased opportunities for the Lakers. The Lakers check in as the worst offensive rebounding offense in the league as the visting team this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them may therefore eliminate further opportunities for scoring and assists). While at home, the Timberwolves have given up the 3rd-most offensive rebounds per game (12.5) in the NBA to opposing squads this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore provide new chances for scoring and assists). The matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves may be a hard one for drawing fouls; the opposition's starting PGs have attempted a measly 3.3 foul shots per game over the last 15 games (10th-least in the league).

Among all players in the league, Naz Reid registers in the 78th percentile for three-point shots converted when playing at home, putting up 1.9 per game this year. The Timberwolves check in as the 6th-most efficient shooting team in the NBA this year. The Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to see a spike in possessions in this contest from sharing the court with the 3rd-speediest pace away team in the league over the last 5 games (the Los Angeles Lakers). Naz Reid has sunk 100.0% of his free throws over the last 5 games, 9.4% higher than he's put through the net in all games this year. The matchup vs. the Lakers may be a difficult one for getting to the foul line; opposing clubs have attempted a measly 18.4 foul shots per game over the last 5 games when the Lakers are on the road (least in the NBA).

The Minnesota Timberwolves have played at the 10th-slowest pace in the NBA over the last 20 games, which should lead to decreased opportunities for the Lakers. The Lakers check in as the worst offensive rebounding offense in the league as the visting team this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them may therefore eliminate further opportunities for scoring and assists). While at home, the Timberwolves have given up the 3rd-most offensive rebounds per game (12.5) in the NBA to opposing squads this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore provide new chances for scoring and assists). Anthony Davis will not enjoy the benefit of the home court advantage in this matchup. Playing without the home court advantage generally worsens stat production in all facets of the game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have played at the 10th-slowest pace in the NBA over the last 20 games, which should lead to decreased opportunities for the Lakers. The Lakers check in as the worst offensive rebounding offense in the league as the visting team this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them may therefore eliminate further opportunities for scoring and assists). While at home, the Timberwolves have given up the 3rd-most offensive rebounds per game (12.5) in the NBA to opposing squads this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore provide new chances for scoring and assists). LeBron James is expected to suffer a drop-off in production across the board on account of playing away from home in this matchup.

Jarred Vanderbilt has totaled a lowly 4.2 rebounds per game this season, quite a bit lower than his 6.7 rebounds per game last season. The Minnesota Timberwolves have played at the 10th-slowest pace in the NBA over the last 20 games, which should lead to decreased opportunities for the Lakers. The Lakers check in as the worst offensive rebounding offense in the league as the visting team this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them may therefore eliminate further opportunities for scoring and assists). While at home, the Timberwolves have given up the 3rd-most offensive rebounds per game (12.5) in the NBA to opposing squads this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore provide new chances for scoring and assists). Jarred Vanderbilt should suffer a reduction in production in all facets of the game considering playing away from home in this matchup.