The Los Angeles Lakers (2-2) and Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. EDT from Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The Timberwolves are favored by -7 on the spread (Timberwolves -7), with the over/under set at 224 total points. Minnesota is a -275 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Los Angeles is +225 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Lakers vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, October 29.
My Lakers vs Timberwolves Prediction
- Lakers vs Timberwolves pick: Rui Hachimura Over 14.5 Points
My Lakers vs Timberwolves best bet is on Rui Hachimura to record over 14.5 points, with the best price currently available at bet365. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Lakers vs Timberwolves Odds
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7 -110 | 224 -110o / -110u | +225 |
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7 -110 | 224 -110o / -110u | -275 |
Lakers vs Timberwolves NBA Preview
The Timberwolves will have revenge on their minds when they face the Lakers for the second time in a week. Minnesota lost the earlier matchup 128-110 as Luka Doncic led all scorers with 49 points. However, things could be different this time around as Doncic won't suit up for the Lakers due to a sprained left finger and a lower leg contusion.
Doncic joins a growing list of Lakers already ruled out, which includes forwards LeBron James (back), Adou Thiero (knee) and center Maxi Kleber (oblique). Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (knee) and point guard Marcus Smart (quad) are also on the injury report as day-to-day, and the team will decode their status closer to tip-off.
With Doncic, James and Gabe Vincent representing 60% of the Lakers' starting lineup, it's not entirely surprising to see Los Angeles as high as a 7-point underdog.
If we turn to the Timberwolves, they'll also be without their best player, Anthony Edwards, due to a hamstring injury. Edwards played just three minutes in Sunday's 114-110 victory over the Pacers but Julius Randle put the team on his back and scored 31 points.
Wednesday's matchup is anything but straightforward, given the injuries to star players for both teams. Oftentimes, we see a market overreaction when there are injuries, but the revenge angle is also probably worth a few points in this spot.
Interestingly, in games where Doncic and James are ruled out and the Lakers are underdogs by six or more points with a total under 230, Los Angeles is 0-3 against the spread.
While there's no question we're paying a premium to lay the points with Minnesota, and I'd feel much more confident about the handicap if Edwards were available.
Lakers vs Timberwolves Prediction, Betting Analysis
With so many starters out for the Lakers, they'll likely turn to Austin Reaves to lead the way. In his last two games with Doncic sidelined, Reaves is averaging 46 points to boost his season average to 35.8.
As a result, sportsbooks have responded by raising his points prop to 29.5.
Again, even with this Lakers' injury crisis, the bookmakers are forcing you to pay a premium to back Reaves. A better option would be to target one of his teammates with whom we can get a more favorable price.
Rui Hachimura has a great chance to be the Lakers' second-leading scorer behind Reaves, as he quietly averaged 17 points over the span of the two games.
Hachimura's career average is 12.9 points, which is just short of his points prop of 14.5, while Reaves' career scoring average is 14.8.
It also doesn't hurt that Hachimura has scored exactly 23 points in each of his past three meetings against the Timberwolves.
Although the Lakers don't have a ton of offensive options at the moment, Hachimura remains a steady hand they can count on, and he should get enough touches to go over his scoring prop of 14.5 points.
Pick: Rui Hachimura Over 14.5 Points (-125, bet365; Play to -118)
Timberwolves vs Lakers Betting Trends
