With the group stage of the 2024 NBA Cup nearing its conclusion, the Los Angeles Clippers will look to keep pace in West Group A on Friday night as 5.5-point underdogs on the road against a Minnesota Timberwolves team that's dropped four games in a row.
Here's a spread, moneyline, total, and player prop expert pick for this matchup at the Target Center.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Odds
Preview: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 7:30 p.m. ET
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Clippers | +5.5 (-114) | +176 | O 216.5 (-110) |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | -5.5 (-106) | -210 | U 216.5 (-110) |
Odds as of November 29, 2024 at FanDuel
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Expert Picks
Los Angeles Clippers ATS +5.5 (-114)
The vibes surrounding the Timberwolves are the lowest they've been in quite some time, with superstar Anthony Edwards having recently unloaded on the team by calling them "soft" while suggesting the players are incapable of communicating with each other. An 8-10 record SU has Minnesota slotted out of the play-in tournament in the Western Conference, which is quite the fall from grace after coming a game short of the top seed just a season ago.
The Clippers, meanwhile, are exceeding minimal expectations with Kawhi Leonard having yet to suit up and leading scorer Norman Powell missing the last five games due to injury. They're a full three games ahead of the Timberwolves in the win-loss column at 12-8 SU with six victories in their last seven games.
Minnesota has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games in its backyard with an overall record ATS of 2-7. A 5-4 home record is also disappointing considering its been the betting favorite on all nine occasions. Los Angeles is no stranger to being a road underdog, as well, having found some success with six covers in nine tries.
When factoring in the Timberwolves' inability to cover these days, and just the morale of the team sinking lower and lower, the Clippers should strike early and often to extend their opponent's misery and keep the scoreboard close with another cover at the bare minimum and a generous 5.5-point spread as of late Thursday evening.
UNDER 216.5 Points (-110)
Minnesota is a middle-of-the-road team offensively on its home floor, averaging just 112.7 points per 100 possessions at the Target Center. Los Angeles also owns the worst overall OVER/UNDER record in basketball at 7-12-1.
It remains a tricky market, but offense should be hard to come by on Friday.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Player Prop
Ivica Zubac OVER 26.5 Points + Rebounds (-106)
It's not an ideal matchup for Ivica Zubac on paper, as reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert will be standing across from him battling on the glass and defending the painted area. In the three meetings between Los Angeles and Minnesota last season, Zubac went UNDER on this prop at 26.5 by a considerable margin, albeit with more limited minutes.
The optimism stems from the 7-footer having hit the OVER on a combined 26.5 points and rebounds in 12 of his 20 appearances this season, including each of his last three games. Zubac is also riding a double-double streak of five-straight games, as well, being far and away the Clippers' biggest threat on the glass.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends
- The Timberwolves are 0-6 in their last six games vs. top-10 scoring defenses.
- Ivica Zubac has exceeded 12.5 rebounds + assists in six of his last seven games (16 rebounds + assists/game average).
- Jaden McDaniels has exceeded 0.5 steals in eight of his last 10 games (1.8 steals/game average).
*all betting trends courtesy of Outlier
