The Los Angeles Lakers have kept things close lately but are still getting frustrating results. L.A. will look to put forth a better performance on Christmas Day against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Sportsbook opened the Lakers as 5.5-point home underdogs with a total of 216.
- The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games.
- The OVER is 7-1 in the last eight meetings between the Lakers and Timberwolves.
- The Timberwolves are 1-4 ATS in the last five on the road vs the Lakers.
The Lakers have dropped five of their last six, but the losses have come by an average of five points. L.A. lost to the defending champion Golden State Warriors 113-106 on Friday and missed a pair of three-point attempts in the final seconds in a 95-92 setback to Portland on Saturday. In the latter loss, the Lakers ended a seven-game streak of scoring at least 106 points.
Minnesota is trying to sweep a three-game road trip and earn its fourth consecutive triumph after beating Denver and Phoenix already on the excursion. The Timberwolves have received great efforts from Jimmy Butler in that span, as the ex-Chicago Bull is averaging 31.3 points on 54.5 percent shooting over the last three games.
Home teams have dominated this series of late, as Minnesota’s last win in L.A. came on October 28, 2015. As a result, home teams have gone 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings between the Western Conference foes.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had the Los Angeles Lakers installed as 4-point underdogs in this particular NBA matchup. The OVER/UNDER betting line for the total number of points scored was listed by most sportsbooks, including Sportsbook, at 213.5.
Prediction-scoring formulas run on this game pick a potential 113-107 result in favor of the Timberwolves. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Los Angeles battles the Minnesota Timberwolves, currently with a 20-13 mark (14-17-2 ATS). The OVER/UNDER records, important for totals betting, are 16-15 for the Lakers and 18-14-1 for the Timberwolves. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Los Angeles vs Minnesota injuries news.
The OddsShark betting Power Rankings have the Lakers at No. 20 and the Timberwolves at No. 8 heading into this NBA contest.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Los Angeles's No. 11-ranked offense averaging 106.61 PPG, against a Minnesota defense that ranks No. 19 at 106.33 PPG. The Lakers field goal percentage has averaged 45.4% so far, less than the Timberwolves shooters have achieved on the year, 47.11% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Jimmy Butler poured in 32 points for Minnesota on Saturday, as they defeated Phoenix 115-106 at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
The Lakers endured a 95-92 loss at the hands of the Trail Blazers on Saturday, despite a 18-point effort from Jordan Clarkson at Staples Center.
- Minnesota is 6-11-1 ATS in its last 18 games
- Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games
- Minnesota is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Los Angeles is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games
- Los Angeles is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Minnesota home to Denver, Wednesday, December 27
Los Angeles home to Memphis, Wednesday, December 27
