Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers - 12/8/19 NBA Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers

Date: Sunday, December 8, 2019

Location: Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: Spectrum SportsNet

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -4.5

Total/Over-Under: 224

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (20-3, 1st in the Pacific Division) host the Minnesota Timberwolves (10-11, 3rd in the Northwest Division) at Staples Center on Sunday, December 8, 2019. Los Angeles opens this contest as 4.5 point favorites. The over/under opens at 224.

The Timberwolves are covering the spread 45.0% of the time, having gone 9-11-1 ATS. Los Angeles covers the spread 60.9% of the time, going 14-9-0 against the spread.

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

12/6/2019 Andrew Wiggins SF Thumb Expected to be out until at least Dec 8
12/5/2019 Jake Layman SF Toe Expected to be out until at least Dec 8

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/7/2019 Rajon Rondo PG Hamstring Game Time Decision
12/6/2019 Avery Bradley PG Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Dec 13
12/5/2019 Kyle Kuzma PF Ankle Game Time Decision
8/15/2019 DeMarcus Cousins C Knee Expected to be out until at least May 15

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins comes into this contest averaging 24.9 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 72%. Karl-Anthony Towns averages 26.2 points per game in 33.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.5 assists per contest and 11.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 51% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

LeBron James averages 25.6 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.0 rebounds per game and has 10.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 70%. Anthony Davis averages 26.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 9.1 rebounds per contest and 3.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 114.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.6 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 25th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 28th in the league. They average 47.7 rebounds per game and 23.7 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 14th with 15.5 per game. The Timberwolves allow 115.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.4 rebounds a game which ranks 27th and they give up 24.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 14.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 10th in the league with 113.3 points per game this year. They are 1st in the league in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 9.6. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 9th in the NBA. They are 15th in the league in rebounding with 45.4 boards per game, and 4th in assists per contest with 26.4. The Lakers are 18th in turnovers per game with 15.1. The Lakers surrender 103.7 points per contest, which ranks them 4th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 23.1 assists allowed per contest and 4th with 42.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lakers are 27th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.3, and their defensive rating of 109.8 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 22nd. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league. Minnesota is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 17th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 16th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 27th in the league. The Lakers are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.8, and their defensive rating of 102.4 is ranked 3rd. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 3rd. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles +4.5

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