Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction, Preview and Odds - 03/31/2023

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Friday, March 31, 2023

Venue:  Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

Where to Watch:  NBA TV

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Lakers +1, Timberwolves -1; Over/Under:  232.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Lakers +1, Timberwolves -1; Over/Under:  232.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Lakers +1, Timberwolves -1; Over/Under:  232.5 points

Los Angeles Lakers:  38-38 (5th place, Pacific Division)

Minnesota Timberwolves:  39-38 (2nd place, Northwest Division)

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Los Angeles Lakers:  6-4 last 10

Minnesota Timberwolves:  5-5 last 10

The Lakers are coming into this game with a 38-38 record overall and they are 17-20 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off of a win against the Chicago Bulls in their last game. Anthony Davis led the team in points in that game with 38 while LeBron James was next on the team with 25 points. Austin Reaves led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Anthony Davis led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 52.3% from the field, 35% from 3-point range, and 80% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 116.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 116.6 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 37-38-1 this season and their O/U record is 38-38.

The Timberwolves are coming into this game with a 39-38 record overall and they are 21-17 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off of a loss against the Phoenix Suns in their last game. Anthony Edwards led the team in points in that game with 31 while Karl-Anthony Towns was next on the team with 25 points. Anthony Edwards and Jordan McLaughlin each led the team in assists in that game with 6 while Rudy Gobert led the team in rebounds with 15. They were 44.4% from the field, 34.3% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 115.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 115.9 PPG against them. The Timberwolves have an ATS record of 37-40 this season and their O/U record is 37-40.

The current betting odds have the Timberwolves listed as a 1 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Timberwolves haven't been great this season with their 39-38 record overall but they have been a better home team with their 21-17 home record. They just lost their last game to the Suns but have still been playing very well lately as they have been getting hot now, still looking to clinch a playoff spot this year. The Lakers haven't been any better this season with their 38-38 record overall but they have been much worse in their road games with a 17-20 road record. They just pulled off a big win in their last game but they have still struggled a lot in road games this season and this is a very important game to both teams. They are both fighting with each other for a playoff spot as they are very close in the standings to each other so both will be playing hard in this game. The Timberwolves have still been the better team though ever since getting Towns back in the lineup as they have been really hot and they have played better in home games this season too. They have the edge here at home in what will likely be a close game but the Timberwolves will edge this one out and get the home win. The best way to place a bet here is on the Timberwolves to cover the spread in this game. 

Lakers Timberwolves Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, March 31, 2023 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Timberwolves 112 Lakers 109.

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Los Angeles Lakers: 23-17 ATS when the total is greater than or equal to 230. 11-4 ATS after 2 straight games - attempting 10+ more free throws than the opponent. 29-19 UNDER against Northwest division opponents.

Minnesota Timberwolves: 11-22 ATS as a favorite. 4-8 ATS after playing 3 consecutive road games. 10-3 UNDER at home when the line is +3 to -3.

Los Angeles Lakers:  M. Bamba (C) Mid April - Ankle.

Minnesota Timberwolves:  M. Ryan (SF) Ques Fri - Illness. T. Prince (SF) Ques Fri - Illness. J. Nowell (SG) Ques Fri - Knee. A. Rivers (PG) Ques Fri - Illness.

“Just wanted to try to put them in some uncomfortable positions with their defense and sort of spread the ball around a little bit, not overdose on any one or two actions, but just try to slowly sift through the offense and see what was bringing us the most returns.” - Darvin Ham after his team’s win against the Bulls in their game on Wednesday.

“It's really not fair every night. I have been in this league for 10 years and I try to always give the benefit of the doubt, but it is hard for me to think that they are not trying to help (the Suns) win tonight.” - Rudy Gobert on the free throw advantage the Suns had after their loss against the Suns in their game on Wednesday.

PG D'Angelo Russell

SG Austin Reaves

SF LeBron James

PF Jarred Vanderbilt

C Anthony Davis

PG Mike Conley

SG Anthony Edwards

SF Jaden McDaniels

PF Karl-Anthony Towns

C Rudy Gobert

PPG: L. James (29.2)

APG: L. James (6.8)

Reb/G: A. Davis (12.4)

PPG: A. Edwards (24.5)

APG: M. Conley (6.8)

Reb/G: R. Gobert (11.7)

Coaches:

Los Angeles Lakers: Darvin Ham (1st season)

Minnesota Timberwolves: Chris Finch (3rd season)