Free NBA Pick: Lakers vs. Timberwolves NBA Odds
Looking for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Lakers taking on the Timberwolves on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022 at Target Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Lakers Timberwolves matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(29-39) Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (40-30)
Date: Wednesday, March 16th, 2022
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Target Center
NBA Moneyline Odds: Lakers +375 | Timberwolves -368 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Wolves -9
NBA Betting Total: 241
Wednesday, March 16th, the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves play for the fourth and final time this season. Minnesota leads the series 2-1 with wins on November 12th (107-83) and December 17th (110-92) while the Lakers won the January 2nd meeting (108-103).
Both teams last played on Monday with the Lakers losing 114-103 to the Raptors while the Wolves defeated the Spurs 149-139.
The clubs enter this match on opposite ends of the spectrum. Although both currently reside in play-in tournament seeds the Wolves are playing their best ball of the season and firmly in the seventh seed.
In direct contrast the Lakers are playing arguably their worst ball of the season, look disinterested and just got blown out in back-to-back games where the game was over by the end of the first quarter.
Last season, the teams played three times with the Lakers sweeping the regular-season series. The Lakers have won 83 of the 121 matches played versus the Wolves all-time.
Los Angeles Lakers
In the last two games, the Lakers played it appeared as if they thought the game started an hour later than it did. After coughing up 48 points to the Suns in the first quarter on Sunday they showed up Monday and allowed the Raptors to jump out to a 19-2 lead.
Rookie Scottie Barnes single-handedly outscored the Lakers in the first quarter with 15 of his 21 points to the Lakers’ total of 12 points.
LeBron James did nothing to hide his displeasure scowling throughout the match and at one point throwing the ball overly hard at the rookie Barnes who laying on the court. It seemed to be excessive for the superstar but then again it’s clear how frustrated he is.
He didn’t stick around to shake hands at game end, nor did he talk to the media postgame so it’s clear he recognizes the position the Lakers are in. They’ve fallen to 10 games under .500 and the only thing saving them from falling out of the play-in is the Blazers are actively tanking.
At this point, James is simply playing to score points in an effort to drive up his career stats as he takes direct aim at the two players ahead of him. Karl Malone has 36,928 points and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is first with 38,387 points.
James has 36,854 meaning he needs just 75 points to supplant Malone. He trails Abdul-Jabbar by 1,533 so if he continues to average 29.7 points he would move past the legend in approximately 52 games.
Dwight Howard (personal) was upgraded to probable and Talen Horton-Tucker (ankle) is also probable while LeBron James (knee) is questionable for Wednesday. Anthony Davis (ankle), and Kendrick Nunn (knee) are both out indefinitely.
Minnesota Timberwolves
It’s been a couple of rough seasons for Karl-Anthony Towns who lost his mother and several family members to COVID. Despite taking every precaution he also got hit by the virus.
While he’s remained hopeful and loyal to the Wolves the self-appointed best shooting big man has made only one trip to the postseason and has a single victory in the first round to point to in his seven seasons.
This year he and the Wolves aren’t guaranteed a berth but the odds are in Minnesota’s favor as they sit firmly in the seventh slot so will have two shots to earn their way into the postseason.
https://twitter.com/Timberwolves/status/1503577492304633857
KAT says this is the closest group he’s ever played with in Minny and it’s clear by how they interact both on and off the court why he feels that way. Following his 60 points, 17 rebounds explosive night versus the Spurs the above picture is worth 1,000 words although the one (FAMILY) suffices.
Anthony Edwards (knee) is probable while Patrick Beverley (ear), Jarred Vanderbilt (quad) Naz Reid (hamstring), and Jordan McLaughlin (groin) are all questionable for Wednesday versus the Lakers. Jaden McDaniels is out indefinitely.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Lakers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games.
- Minnesota is 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of the Lakers’ last 7 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 5 games
- The Lakers are 0-10 SU in their last 10 games on the road.
- Minnesota is 12-2 SU in their last 14 games at home.
- The Lakers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog.
- The Timberwolves are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games as a favorite.
Free Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Prediction:
While the Lakers should be embarrassed and come out with energy it’s hard to bet on that since they should’ve been in that mindset Monday. Even if Dwight Howard returns it will be tough to slow down KAT who is playing at another level.
My darkhorse preseason play-in pick is paying dividends so I’m sticking with them.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Wolves ATS
If you’re looking for more NBA picks like this Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire NBA season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA predictions!
Register here for a FREE NBA Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!
