The Timberwolves are on the road to face the Los Angeles Lakers, with both team’s playing their first-game of the season. Tip-off for this season-opener, is set for 10:00 at Crypto.com Arena.

Timberwolves vs Lakers

The Timberwolves Are Looking To Start Their Season With A Win

Ranked 7th in our pre-season power rankings, the Timberwolves enter the season with an 82.8% chance of making the playoffs and an 18.7% chance of winning their division. Last season, Minnesota finished 3rd in the Western Conference with a 56-26 record, going 30-11 at home and 26-15 on the road. They were also 3rd in the conference in both conference (37-15) and divisional (12-4) games.

Minnesota was 38-43 against the spread last season, with an average line of 221 points and an average of 219.5 points per game. They were 47-16 when favored and 9-10 as the underdog. At home, they went 17-24 ATS, compared to 21-19 on the road.

The Lakers Are Looking To Start Their Season With A Win

The Lakers enter this season ranked 14th in our power rankings, with a 56.1% chance of making the playoffs and a 21.9% chance of winning the Pacific Division. Last season, they finished 47-35, placing 3rd in their division and 7th in the Western Conference. At home, they were 28-14, but they struggled on the road, going 19-21.

Against the spread, the Lakers were 35-47, and their games averaged 235.5 points. They were 20-25 ATS when favored and 15-22 as the underdog. As the favorite, they went 32-13 straight-up.

Timberwolves Offense Breakdown

The Timberwolves enter the season ranked 16th in our offensive power rankings after finishing 18th in points per game (113.0) last season. They were 21st in possessions per game (97.0) and 29th in field goal attempts per game (85.0), but they ranked 10th in field goal percentage (48.5%). Minnesota was 3rd in three-point percentage (38.7%), making 12.6 threes per game (15th) on 32.7 attempts (23rd). They also ranked 8th in free throw attempts per game (22.9) but were 18th in free throw percentage (77.7%).

Anthony Edwards is projected to lead the team in scoring, ranking 7th in our league-wide projections. He averaged 25.9 points per game last season. Donte DiVincenzo, a key addition from the Knicks, is projected to be 4th on the team in scoring and 2nd in made threes. He averaged 15.5 points per game last season, shooting 44.3% from the field.

Lakers Offense Breakdown

The Lakers enter the season ranked 13th in our offensive power rankings after finishing last season 6th in points per game (118.0). They were 4th in possessions per game (101.2), but they ranked 22nd in field goal attempts per game (87.5), hitting 49.9% of their shots (3rd). They were 28th in three-point attempts per game (31.4), making 11.8 per game (24th) at a 37.7% clip (8th). They were 2nd in free throw attempts per game (24.2), making 78.2% (15th), and they ranked 30th in offensive rebounds per game (8.2).

LeBron James and Anthony Davis are projected to lead the Lakers in scoring, with LeBron ranked 18th in our league-wide projections and Davis at 25th. D’Angelo Russell is projected to lead the team in made three-pointers, ranking 22nd in the league. Austin Reaves is 3rd on the team in projected threes, and Rui Hachimura is 5th in projected points, though he is currently listed as questionable.

Timberwolves Team Defense

We have the Timberwolves ranked as the top defensive team in our power rankings, and they allowed the fewest points in the NBA last season, at 106.5 per game. Opponents shot just 45.1% from the field against them, the second-lowest mark in the league, and they held teams to 35.6% shooting from beyond the arc, ranking 9th in three-point defense.

Rudy Gobert remains one of the NBA’s top shot-blockers, and Minnesota ranked 5th in blocked shots and defensive rebounds last season. Anthony Edwards is also a strong rebounder for his position, while Julius Randle provides additional support on the boards. The Timberwolves averaged 7.9 steals per game, ranking 6th in the NBA.

Lakers Team Defense

The Timberwolves head into the season as our top-ranked defense, after leading the NBA in points allowed last year at 106.5 per game. Opponents shot just 45.1% from the field against them, the second-lowest mark in the league, and Minnesota was the best at defending the three-point line, holding teams to 34.5% shooting.

Rudy Gobert, one of the NBA’s top shot-blockers, anchors the defense, and Minnesota ranked 5th in blocked shots last season. They were also 5th in defensive rebounding, with Gobert and Julius Randle leading the effort on the boards. The Timberwolves averaged 7.9 steals per game, placing them 6th in the NBA.

Timberwolves vs Lakers Trends

• Across their ten previous road games, Minnesota has an ATS mark of 7-3. Their straight up record in these matchups was 7-3 while averaging 110 points per game.
• Across their last three home contests, Los Angeles has a 2-1 record vs the spread. Their overall mark in these games was 0-3, while averaging 102 points per game.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Lakers have a straight up record of 4-6 and an ATS mark of 6-4.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Timberwolves have a straight up record of 4-6. Their record vs the spread in these games was 3-7.

Timberwolves vs Lakers Prediction

The Timberwolves is our selection to secure the victory, with a projected score of 138-117. We also like them to cover the spread, so we suggest betting on the Timberwolves at -1.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 219 and our model has the Timberwolves and Lakers finishing with a combined 255 points. Our pick is to take the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.