Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Picks & Predictions 1/6/2019

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Target Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Lakers travel to Target Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, January 6, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 2.5 point favorites.

The Lakers have a record of 21-18. They are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They have a point differential of 1.5 as they average 113.0 points per game while giving up 111.5 per contest. The Timberwolves have an overall mark of 18-21. They currently are 5th in the Northwest Division. They total 111.5 points per contest and give up 111.4, which is a point differential of 0.0.

Valuable Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 16-21-1 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 15-23-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Trends

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 19-19-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 19-19-0 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/28/18 PG Rajon Rondo Finger is out indefinitely
12/26/18 SF LeBron James Groin is out indefinitely
01/04/19 F Kyle Kuzma Back is questionable Sunday vs Minnesota

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

01/04/19 PG Derrick Rose Ankle is questionable Sunday vs LA Lakers
01/03/19 SF Robert Covington Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Lonzo Ball averages 9.6 points per game in 29.8 minutes per contest. He averages 5.0 assists per contest and 5.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 43%. Kyle Kuzma comes into this contest averaging 18.3 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per night. He pulls down 5.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is at 78%.

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averages 17.0 points per game and he sees the court an average of 33.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.9 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 73%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 22.1 points per game while playing 33.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 12.2 rebounds per game and has 3.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Lakers allow 111.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 19th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 12th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.9 rebounds a game which ranks 26th, and they give up 23.8 assists per contest which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 13.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league. Los Angeles averages 113.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.5 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 6th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 23rd in the league. They average 46.8 rebounds per game and 24.5 assists per contest, which ranks them 8th and 15th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 4th with 15.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves surrender 111.4 points per contest, which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 30th in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 25.9 assists allowed per contest, and 23rd with 45.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Timberwolves are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.1 per game. Minnesota is 14th in the league with 111.5 points per game this year. They are 22nd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 0.0. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 10th in the NBA. They are 20th in the league in rebounding with 44.3 boards per game and 14th in assists per contest with 24.6. The Timberwolves are 28th in turnovers per game with 12.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 19th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.1, and their defensive rating of 107.7 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 3rd. As a team they are 14th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 16th in the league. Los Angeles is 7th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 28th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 28th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 9th in the NBA. The Timberwolves are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 111.3, and their offensive rating of 111.3 is ranked 20th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 99.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 25th. As a unit they are 22nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Los Angeles +2.5

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