Target Center features an NBA battle between the host Minnesota Timberwolves and the visiting Los Angeles Lakers in betting action on Friday.

The Timberwolves bring a 17-25 record (19-22-1 ATS) to the battle against the 20-26 Lakers, who are 18-28 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Minnesota go 21-21 so far and the Lakers go 23-22-1. (Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news).



View LA Lakers vs Minnesota Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new Power Rankings at Odds Shark, it's the No. 18-rated Timberwolves and the No. 9-rated Lakers in this matchup. Predictive computer formulas point to a 100-96 win for the Lakers on Friday.



How They Match Up:
When it comes to rebounds, the visiting Lakers rank No. 3 in the league with 45 per game. That compares with Minnesota’s No. 6 ranking in that category. The story is different when it comes to three-point shooting where Minnesota is the NBA’s No. 27-ranked team at 5.5 per game, while the Lakers rate No. 4 with 8.8 per contest.

Defensively, the Lakers feature the league's No. 30-rated defense on the road, giving up 105.7 points per game. Minnesota, meanwhile, comes in at No. 26 in the league in scoring at home.

Los Angeles lost its last outing, a 92-86 result against the Suns on January 30. The Lakers failed to cover in that game as a 3-point favorite, while the 178 combined points took the game UNDER the total. The Lakers got 17 points from Kobe Bryant, but it was Phoenix that prevailed in a 92-86 final on Wednesday at US Airways Center.

The Timberwolves were a 96-90 loser in their most recent outing at home against the Clippers. They failed to cover the 4.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (186) made winners of UNDER bettors. The Timberwolves endured a 96-90 loss at the hands of the Clippers on Wednesday, despite a 17-point effort from Nikola Pekovic at Target Center.


Los Angeles Lakers Trends:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Detroit are 7-3
After playing Phoenix are 9-1
After a loss are 2-8

Minnesota Timberwolves Trends:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing New Orleans are 2-8
After playing LA Clippers are 3-7
After a loss are 2-8

A few Lakers at Timberwolves trends to consider:
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 7 of the LA Lakers last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Minnesota's last 12 games when playing LA Lakers
Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home


Next up:
LA Lakers at Detroit, Sunday, February 3
Minnesota home to New Orleans, Saturday, February 2