Timberwolves vs Lakers NBA Analysis, Odds, and Best Bet (2/27)

Thursday Night basketball in The City of Angels. There should be a few Hollywood moments as two of the youngest stars in the league clash. Anthony Edwards and company visit LeBron, Luka and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers. Let’s talk hoops.

Game Information

• Crypto.com Arena Los Angeles, CAL
• Minnesota Timberwolves (32-27) visit the (35-21) Los Angeles Lakers
• Previous Matchup: MIN Win 97-87, December 13th, 2024

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Los Angeles Lakers

The Ant-Man looked like a superhero in back-to-back games against the Thunder. Including a thrilling come from behind victory in the second game. They overcame their opponents in overtime after falling behind by a 25-point deficit. Gilgeoous-Alexander’s 39 points weren’t enough for the combined effort of the T’Wolves.

Minnesota has had a tough schedule in February. They’ve played Oklahoma City three times, the Rockets twice, playing Pesky Portland, Milwaukee, and made a trip out to Cleveland. They’ve gone 5-6 and have two games left in the month.

Naz Reid will opt out of his contract and seek a large payday. He’s been fantastic in any role required of him this season. Lately, he’s been starting and showing out. Expect that to continue as he chases the bag the rest of the way. Gobert is out of this one again as he maintains a back injury that has kept him out for an extended period now.

The Lakers have dominated the headlines and the hardwood.

The Lakers also exorcised some of Luka’s demons (His name Nico) on Tuesday night. However, the saga won’t end until early April when he returns to American Airlines Arena on the 9th. This team has looked elite on both ends for a large sample size now. They look the part of a top 4 seed in the tough West. Los Angeles might be going from Dark Horse to True Contender.

NBA Game Analysis

Minnesota is a scrappy team that simply finds ways to win. Chris Finch is a tactician offensively, and Anthony Edwards leads by example, causing this squad to play with intensity. The Timberwolves play for one another and their effort and defence travel. They have 8 wins in their last 11 games on the road. Furthermore, they 6-2 ATS in their last 8 as underdogs. The season series is also 2-1 for Minnesota despite the fact that their star has been lacklustre in those contests.

Minnesota’s path to victory is to limit the scoring then find ways to score themselves. When they steal games like this then a random contributor emerges from the rotation. Looking at you Terrance Shannon Jr. This could also be Jaden McDaniels who has had huge games this month averaging 18.6 points per game. This several points higher than his season average. Naz Reid’s mobility should also cause problems, however, the Lakers may deploy a smaller player on him like they did with Nikola Jokic.

It should be noted that all three games went under tonight’s total but this is a completely different Lakers team with Luka Dončić. LeBron was out of the last matchup and Anthony Davis was still donning gold and purple. Strangely, the over has hit in 7 of the last 10 Lakers games against top ten scoring defences. Minnesota is ranked 6th. The Lakers beat good defences by letting their stars be bright.

Los Angeles is 20-7 on their home floor while winning 8 of 10 and 3 straight. LeBron is GTD, Maxi Kleber is out, and everyone else is in. The Lakers can win this game by continuing to play their way. Naz Reid should be bottled up, Anthony Edwards left to toil on the perimeter, and then the rest of the wolves will struggle to create offence of their own.

Control the Glass to Win the Game

If LA can control the glass they should control the game but if Minnesota cleans glass then they’ll cause chaos. The Lakers are 20th in second chance points and they are also 20th in defensive rebounds. This is where Minnesota excels as they are the 7th ranked second chance scoring team. If Minnesota crashes, and then gets kick out threes where they shoot it at the league’s 5th (37.5%) best clip, then they have a chance.

NBA Best Bet: Rui Hachimura o14.5 Points (-125)

With Minnesota’s top defence then the Lakers will need their young scorer to continue his play. Head-to-head Rui has hit this line in 4 of 7 career matchups. In his last 10 games he has pole vaulted this number in 8 games averaging 17.5 points in that sample size. Rui Hachimura should continue to play well, LeBron likes him, and I think Luka will grow chemistry with him as well. Defences and those around the association are locked in on Reaves but pay some attention to Rui too.

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