The Los Angeles Lakers will wrap up a tough stretch of four games in six days on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves early next week. Los Angeles is trying to figure out its chemistry on the fly and this will be a key game against another projected playoff contender in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles will be back to full strength as point guard Rajon Rondo and forward Brandon Ingram will both be done with their suspensions once this contest rolls around. The Timberwolves continue to play amidst the huge distraction of forward Jimmy Butler wanting to be traded.
He remains in Minnesota and there is no doubt this is a better team when he is on it, but there is a question about team chemistry. The talent on these teams is pretty even and the home court should help the T-Wolves in NBA betting lines.
This NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves will be held at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota at 8 p.m ET on Monday, October 29th, 2018. The game will be nationally televised on NBA TV.
We'll have NBA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2018 NBA season.
NBA Betting at BookMaker.eu
Odds Analysis
The Lakers are 2-3 on the season, beating the Suns and Nuggets in succession after an 0-3 start. The Timberwolves are 2-3 on the season. They have lost all three of their road games on the season but have knocked off the Cavaliers and Pacers in their two home games. Minnesota hopes to keep this trend alive since it is the home team.
Both of these teams have played in some high-scoring contests on the year and it wouldn’t be surprised if there is a fast pace.
Player To Watch
Butler -- The Timberwolves’ star forward has been vocal about getting out of town but continues to play hard for Minnesota in the meantime. He is averaging 24.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest. Butler is shooting 53 percent from the field and is also an elite defender.
There was a report that the Rockets are interested in trading for Butler and are willing to trade four first-round picks for him. At this point it is very likely that Butler is on the team and plays in this game, but obviously a trade can happen at any time and it would certainly change the odds if he is dealt beforehand.
Keep an eye on the situation as it is fluid.
Key Stat
29.8 -- That is the player efficiency rating for Lakers big man Javale McGee early in the season, which is even a better mark than LeBron James. If McGee can continue to play this well it would be a huge plus for the Lakers in their quest to be a contender in the West.
He is averaging 16.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per contest on the season and should continue to get a good deal of playing time. James is the straw that serves the drink but he needs to figure out who the reliable players are around him this season. McGee is not known as a star but he has played great early on and would love to gain James’ trust.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The T-Wolves are actually a good team when Butler is in the fold. Between him and Karl Anthony Towns, Minnesota has a pair of stars. That and the home court advantage should be enough to lead this team to victory in NBA gambling.
Keep an eye on the scoring total as this could be a high-scoring matchup.
NBA ATS Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves 123, Los Angeles Lakers 120
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
