Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions, Odds, Picks

• The Lakers are coming off of a narrow, buzzer-beating victory.
• The Timberwolves look to continue their run toward a .500 record.
• The Lakers were blown out by the Timberwolves in their earlier meeting this season.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Odds

Odds provided by Caesars Sportsbook.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Predictions and Picks

The Timberwolves are an inconsistent but explosive team. While they bested the Lakers earlier in the season, Los Angeles should have the upper hand given the current form of their star trio.

Pick:

Los Angeles Lakers def. Minnesota Timberwolves (+100)

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Injury Report

How Can the Lakers Beat the Timberwolves?

The difficult truth for the Los Angeles Lakers is that they’re not particularly strong outside of their three main stars. While on some nights they can create for their role players, on other nights those role players can’t meet expectations.

In their last game, a victory over the Mavericks, the Lakers gave up their hard-earned 10-point lead to open the game. Outside of Austin Reaves, the Lakers role players did little to support their All-Star trio.

Minnesota may not have the most exciting names on their bench, but they are young and willing to get out and push the pace. If the Lakers bench can’t contain their counterparts, it may be another long night.

Lakers Key Player: (G) Austin Reaves

AUSTIN REAVES WINS IT AT THE DEATH FOR LA pic.twitter.com/Ph9nZPNR1B

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 16, 2021

In a squad that boasts four guaranteed NBA Hall of Famers, it was rookie sharpshooter Austin Reaves who stole the show in the Lakers’ last game. While he is by no means the most important piece for the Lakers, he’s filled a valuable role for Frank Vogel as of late.

The Lakers are a team that crave shooting, due to the attacking abilities of its stars. Reaves has impressed in his last three games, converting on 7 of 11 three-point field goal attempts.

His game-winner against the Mavericks in his last game was brilliant. But it will be his consistency finding space and hitting open shots that will help even Los Angeles’ biggest stars succeed.

How Can the Timberwolves Beat the Lakers?

The Timberwolves are coming off of a solid victory over the Denver Nuggets. While their young stars stood out, there is a lot they need to clean up if they want to beat the Lakers.

The Timberwolves were excellent on offence against the Nuggets, but they won’t want to allow the same shooting against the Lakers. Minnesota allowed their opponents to shoot 45.2% from the field, while also allowing 14 three-pointers.

On the plus side, the Timberwolves did force 17 turnovers from their opponents in their last game. If they can pressure ball handlers and tighten up their three-point defence, Minnesota may be able to take their second victory over the Lakers this season.

Timberwolves Key Player: (G) Anthony Edwards

ANTHONY. EDWARDS.

10 three-pointers. The youngest player ever with 10 threes in a game. pic.twitter.com/BOIqWFx1OG

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 16, 2021

Anthony Edwards may not have won the Rookie of the Year Award last season, but he’s making up for it by having what many would consider to be an All-Star calibre sophomore campaign.

Edwards has improved in almost every major statistical category this season and is coming off of a victory over the Denver Nuggets where he scored 38 points with 10 made three-pointers.

Edwards will be the key factor in this matchup as his explosiveness on offence can open up the Lakers’ paint-dependent defence.

How to Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves