Minnesota Timberwolves (2-3 Preseason) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (2-4 Preseason)
As the Minnesota Timberwolves head to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena, the NBA actions go up a notch. This match will be telecasted on Tuesday via TNT, which will be a trailblazing encounter featuring two teams looking to gain a psychological edge before the actual season begins. This should be particularly interesting to fans looking for daily NBA free picks as betting odds may be tight, considering the two teams have had some inconsistent performance in the preseason.
So far in the preseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves stands at a slightly better 2-3 compared to the 2-4 of the Los Angeles Lakers, but the team is still looking for their flow. Last season, the Timberwolves scored an average of 113 points per game, shooting 48.5% from the field and 38.7% from 3-point range. They are an impressive offensive team, but their defense has usually been the weak part of the team, with the total going OVER in four out of their last five games. However, they had an impressive 26.6 assists per game as a team last season which reflects their chemistries on the court, but going forward, they will have to focus more on defense if they want to utilize their scoring strength.
On the flip side, the Los Angeles Lakers despite their record have shown signs of promise. Offensively, the Lakers have an upper hand scoring an average of 118 points per match during the last season and had a marginally higher field goal percentage of 49.9%. Their 3-point shooting average is almost identical to the Timberwolves at 37.7%. Nevertheless, their defensive rebounding, which is marginally better than Minnesota’s, and a lower average of fouls per game hints at a more disciplined style of play which might be vital in closely contested matches.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game Info
| When: | Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Crypto.com Arena |
| TV: | TNT |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Anthony Edwards (SG) vs. LeBron James (SF)
One of the Timberwolves stars is Anthony Edwards, who had an average of 25.9 points last season, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. One stat that stands out is his turnover rate at 3.1 turnovers a game which could come back to bite him against the Lakers defense.
James LeBron has not lost his edge in scoring, averaging 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists a game last season. His low turnover ratio and his ability to play on both sides of the court make him an extremely valuable player. His Veteran presence could be very useful for the Lakers, where the going gets tough as usual.
It is predictable that LeBron’s and Edwards’s performances will shape the outcome of the upcoming match. Edwards has to cut down on his turnovers to some extent, while LeBron’s style of play is expected to bring in double teams, which could help open up other players. The match is expected to be an interesting battle between the young and experienced players.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: Minnesota Timberwolves -110, Total Odds: 226
Timberwolves are slight favorites with a -0.5 point spread and -110 on the moneyline, indicating a very tight contest is anticipated. The total is 226, and given both teams’ offensive statistics, the OVER could be tempting for bettors, despite recent trends suggesting tight defenses.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends
The Timberwolves have struggled against the spread, going 1-4 in their last five games. This trend suggests some inconsistency in covering expectations, which bettors should consider. However, their historical advantage over the Lakers, being 8-4 both ATS and SU in their last 12 encounters, might sway some opinions.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends
The Lakers have been the better team ATS recently, going 5-2 in their last seven games. Despite their struggles in winning games outright, they have managed to keep most games closer than the odds suggest. The total has gone UNDER in five of their last six games, indicating a trend towards lower-scoring encounters, which contradicts the trend observed in the Timberwolves’ games.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers 10/22/24 Betting Picks
The betting lines suggest a very close match, indicative of both teams’ current form and historical contests. Given the mixed signals from both sides, this game might lean towards a high-scoring affair, considering the offensive capabilities of both teams and Minnesota’s tendency to go OVER in recent games.
In the end, small margins have seen the Lakers win, using their home advantage and showing much more discipline on the defensive end. Prop bets might be worth exploring for LeBron’s assists and points, and the points total seems likely to exceed the mark of 226. Betters using the top betting sites should monitor the live odds leading up to the game for potential variability in the line to acquire additional value before the event starts.
