The Minnesota Timberwolves have slid down the Western Conference standings of late and have to play well down the stretch in order to ensure a playoff berth. They have to hit the road in a game this week but it is a winnable one against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The T-Wolves are the superior team but have not played very well on the road this season, so this contest could be a toss-up. The Lakers have been eliminated from the playoffs but would welcome playing the role of spoiler in this matchup in NBA basketball betting.
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Odds Analysis
The Timberwolves are 44-34 straight up and 33-42-3 against the spread on the season. Minnesota has gone 15-23-1 against the spread on the road this season. The Timberwolves have only covered in 12 of 30 attempts as the underdog this season and could be a slight one in this matchup.
The Lakers are 33-44 straight up and 40-37 against the spread. Los Angeles has gone 20-17 against the spread at home this year. The Lakers have only been the favorite 18 times this season but has done a solid job, covering in 11 of those.
Injury Report
Timberwolves star forward JImmy Butler is on the precipice of returning from a knee injury. He has missed the past 16 games and the team has only gone 8-8 in those contests, dropping into a perilous position in the standings.
Minnesota has a game preceding this one on Thursday so check to see Butler’s availability for that one and again on Friday. He is a huge piece for this team and will be welcomed back with open arms.
Butler is averaging 22.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists on the season and plays great defense. If he is able to get back into the lineup for this one it would certainly have an effect on the NBA basketball betting spread.
The Timberwolves haven’t made the playoffs in 14 years and Butler is hoping he can return in time to help the team get there. The Nuggets and Clippers are both within striking distance so Minnesota can’t lose games like this one.
Player To Watch
Julius Randle -- The Lakers’ best player this season has been their young big man. Randle leads the team in scoring at 16.2 points per game while adding 8.1 rebounds and more than half-a-block per game.
He is efficient around the hoop, shooting 56 percent from the field. Randle had registered a double-double in three of his past five games and the Timberwolves will have to keep him in check.
Minnesota counters with an even more talented big man in Karl-Anthony Towns. The one that wins this matchup will give his team a leg up in a contest that figures to be close.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Timberwolves have fallen backward in the standings of late but are still a solid team. They will have a high sense of urgency in this one. Despite a poor road record on the year, look for Minnesota to come away with a crucial road win.
The game should be close from start to finish as the Lakers are only slightly less talented but have the home court advantage. Take the Timberwolves to pull the upset as well as cover the spread in NBA basketball wagering. The “over” should be under consideration as this one is going to be a high-scoring affair between a pair of teams fine with pushing the tempo.
NBA Odds: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 113
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