Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 2/15/2018

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Lakers head to Target Center to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, February 15, 2018. The opening line for this game has Minnesota as 9.5 point favorites.

The Lakers come into this game with an overall record of 23-32. They are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.5 as they are averaging 107.0 points per game while giving up 109.5 per contest. The Timberwolves have an overall mark of 35-25. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 109.6 points per contest and giving up 106.7, which is a point differential of 2.9.

Valuable Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 29-26-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 28-27-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 28-30-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 32-27-1 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

01/25/18 PG Lonzo Ball MCL is out indefinitely

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Kyle Kuzma comes into this game averaging 15.7 points per contest while playing 29.8 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 5.9 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.8 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 70%. Tyreke Evans averages 19.4 points per contest in 31 minutes per game this year. He averages 4.9 assists per game and 5 rebounds per contest for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins has scored 17.7 points per contest while playing 36.2 minutes per game this season for the Timberwolves. He hauls in 4.2 rebounds per contest and has 1.8 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 63%. Jimmy Butler averages 22.4 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 37.2 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.5 rebounds per game and 5 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 107 points per contest this year, which is 11th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -2.51 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 16th. From 3-point territory they shoot 33%, which is good for 29th in the NBA. They average 46.3 boards per contest and 23.5 assists per game, which ranks them 2nd and 9th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 2nd with 16 per game. The Lakers allow 109.5 points per contest which is 25th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 11th and 4th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.3 rebounds a game which ranks 27th, and they allow 22.9 assists per game which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 6th in the NBA with 109.6 points per contest this season. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 2.85. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 19th in the league. They are 24th in the NBA in rebounding with 41.6 boards per contest and 12th in assists per game with 22.9. The Timberwolves are 29th in turnovers per contest with 12.6. The Timberwolves give up 106.7 points per game, which ranks them 19th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 30th and 27th in those defensive statistics. They rank 22nd with 24.1 dimes allowed per game and 3rd with 41.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Timberwolves are 28th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 107.5, and their offensive rating of 105 is ranked 19th. They are 1st in the NBA in pace with 100.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 23rd. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 21st in the NBA. Los Angeles is 8th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 22nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 30th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the league. The Timberwolves are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.9, and their defensive rating of 110.9 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 23rd in the league with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 10th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shots, ranking 29th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Lakers/Timberwolves NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles +9.5

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