Los Angeles Lakers (18-19) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (16-19)
Game Info: Sunday, January 2, 2022 at 9:30 pm (Crypto.com Arena)
Betting Odds: Los Angeles Lakers -8 -- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: Spectrum SportsNet, Bally Sports North Stream live sports and exclusive originals on ESPN+. Sign up now!
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers meet Sunday in NBA action at the crypto.com Arena. The Minnesota Timberwolves need a win after losing four of their last five games. The Los Angeles Lakers need a win after losing six of their last eight games.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are averaging 108.1 points on 42.9 percent shooting and allowing 109.1 points on 44.8 percent shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 24.5 points and 3.6 assists, while Anthony Edwards is averaging 22.2 points and 3.5 assists. D’Angelo Russell is the third double-digit scorer and Malik Beasley is grabbing 3.4 rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves are shooting 34 percent from beyond the arc and 76.1 percent from the free throw line. The Minnesota Timberwolves are allowing 33.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.2 rebounds per game.
The Los Angeles Lakers are averaging 111.1 points on 46.5 percent shooting and allowing 112.2 points on 44.4 percent shooting. LeBron James is averaging 28.6 points and 7.5 rebounds, while Anthony Davis is averaging 23.3 points and 9.9 rebounds. Russell Westbrook is the third double-digit scorer and Carmelo Anthony is grabbing 4.3 rebounds. The Los Angeles Lakers are shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc and 73.2 percent from the free throw line. The Los Angeles Lakers are allowing 34.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 46 rebounds per game.
The Timberwolves are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 road games and 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall. The Lakers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 home games and 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games playing on 1 days rest. The over is 9-3 in Timberwolves last 12 overall. The over is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 overall. The under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Los Angeles and 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
The Los Angeles Lakers are going to keep getting the benefit of the doubt and the public will continue to back them, but I'm still not looking to lay big chalk with this team. The Lakers continue to underachieve, they lose at home by an average of 0.9 points, and they only win as a favorite by an average of 1.6 points. The Minnesota Timberwolves are a team I liked heading into the season, and while they're not looking so hot right now, they're starting to get healthy again. I can't do it with these Lakers. Give me the Timberwolves.
Randy’s Pick Minnesota Timberwolves +8
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter @WizardOf0dds