by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025
Game Time: 10:30 pm ET, Thursday, February 27, 2025
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: NBA TV
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Timberwolves +4.5, Lakers -4.5; Over/Under: 224.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Timberwolves +4.5, Lakers -4.5; Over/Under: 224.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Timberwolves +4.5, Lakers -4.5; Over/Under: 224.5 points
Season Record
Minnesota Timberwolves: 32-27 (3rd place, Northwest Division)
Los Angeles Lakers: 35-21 (1st place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Minnesota Timberwolves: 5-5 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers: 8-2 last 10
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Analysis
The Timberwolves are entering this game with a 32-27 record overall this season and they are 16-13 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jaden McDaniels led the team in points in that game with 27 while Naz Reid was next on the team with 22 points. Anthony Edwards led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Anthony Edwards led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 45.4% from the field, 28.1% from 3-point range, and 87.2% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 112.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 109 PPG against them. The Timberwolves have an ATS record of 26-32-1 this season and their O/U record is 32-27.
The Lakers are entering this game with a 35-21 record overall this season and they are 20-7 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 3 game winning streak with wins coming against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Denver Nuggets, and the Dallas Mavericks. LeBron James led the team in points in that game with 27 while Austin Reaves was next on the team with 20 points. Luka Dončić led the team in assists in that game with 12 while Luka Dončić led the team in rebounds with 15. They were 44.8% from the field, 27.5% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 113 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 111.6 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 30-25-1 this season and their O/U record is 27-29.
Timberwolves vs Lakers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lakers listed as a 4.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lakers have looked really good in their games this season with their 35-21 record overall which has them in the top half of the West and in a playoff spot. They have looked great on their home court this year with their 20-7 home record and they have looked a lot better in their games lately as they have been climbing up the standings in the West. Meanwhile, The Timberwolves have looked good in their games this season with their 32-27 record overall which has them right in the middle of the West, but that record also has them in a play-in spot and right on the edge of a true playoff spot. They have been a good road team this year with their 16-13 road record, but they haven't looked great lately. They are coming off a big road win over the Thunder in their last one, but they needed overtime to win that one after trailing by over 20 points into the 4th quarter. They showed a lot of resilience in that win, but they are only 5-5 in their last 10 games and have been so up and down all season. The Lakers have been really hot lately as they are 8-2 in their last 10 games and they have a ton of momentum on their side with 3 wins in a row now. Luka Doncic is starting to get into a rhythm with this new lineup too. The Timberwolves have had too many inconsistencies this season and the Lakers can take advantage of that with the T-Wolves coming off a big win over the Thunder in their last one. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lakers to cover the spread in this game.
Timberwolves Lakers Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Thursday, February 27, 2025 (10:30 pm ET start time) is Lakers 120 Timberwolves 107.
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NBA Betting Trends
Minnesota Timberwolves: 0-6 ATS off a win against a division rival. 3-8 1H ATS in February games. 16-6 UNDER after 3 or more consecutive overs. 19-10 1H UNDER in road games.
Los Angeles Lakers: 7-4 ATS after allowing 100 points or less. 16-10 ATS after playing a home game. 23-17 ATS versus poor foul drawing teams - attempting 24 free throws/game or less. 10-3 UNDER against Northwest division opponents.
Key Injuries
Minnesota Timberwolves: R. Gobert (C) Day To Day - Back. J. Randle (PF) Day To Day - Groin. D. DiVincenzo (SG) Day To Day - Toe.
Los Angeles Lakers: M. Kleber (PF) Out - Foot.
Notable Quotes
"It's so frustrating to play this team because they foul a ton. They really do. They foul, they foul all the time. And then you can't really touch Shai. It's a very frustrating thing, and it takes a lot of mental toughness to try to play through it. We just eventually were able to get downhill and force the issue ourselves, and we were rewarded for it." - Chris Finch after his team’s win against the OKC Thunder in their game on Monday.
“At the end of the day, winning is all that matters. Some wins are ugly, some wins are pretty, but at the end of the day, nobody really cares because it goes down with a win in the column.” - Austin Reaves after their win against the Mavericks in their game on Tuesday.
Starting Lineups
Minnesota Timberwolves
PG Mike Conley
SG Anthony Edwards
SF Jaden McDaniels
PF Joe Ingles
C Naz Reid
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Luka Doncic
SG Austin Reaves
SF Rui Hachimura
PF LeBron James
C Jaxson Hayes
Statistical Leaders
Minnesota Timberwolves
PPG: A. Edwards (27.5)
APG: A. Edwards (4.6)
Reb/G: R. Gobert (10.4)
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: L. Dončić (26.4)
APG: L. James (8.7)
Reb/G: L. Dončić (8.4)
Coaches:
Minnesota Timberwolves: Chris Finch (5th season)
Los Angeles Lakers: JJ Redick (1st season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
