Timberwolves vs Lakers Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Friday, March 3rd

Check out our free Timberwolves vs Lakers pick and preview for this NBA game in Los Angeles. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Timberwolves vs Lakers NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers
Where: Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena
Date: Friday, March 3rd
Betting Odds LAL -1, MIN -117 | LAL -103 O/U 229.5

So far, the Timberwolves have put together an overall record of 32-32, while going 30-34-0 vs the spread. Over the team’s past 3 games, Minnesota has an overall record of 1-2, including going 1-2 against the spread.

Minnesota is going for yet another win, as they previously defeated the Clippers. With the 108-101 victory, they also covered the spread as 6 point underdogs. Minnesota went into halftime with a narrow 2 point lead before being able to slightly add to that margin by the games end. In the win, Jaden McDaniels led the team in scoring with 20 points on a field goal percentage of 66.7%.

So far, the Lakers have put together an overall record of 30-33, while going 30-30-3 vs the spread. Looking back on Lakers’ previous 3 games, they have a record of 2-1 while averaging 114 points per game. Over this stretch, their ATS mark is 2-1.

Los Angeles is going for yet another win, as they previously defeated the Thunder at home. With the 123-117 victory, they also covered the spread as 3 point underdogs. Los Angeles went on to win the game, despite trailing by 3 going into halftime. Leading the team in scoring was Dennis Schröder, as he contributed 26 points while hitting 44.4% of his shots.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Timberwolves picked up the 111-102 win over the Lakers. The Timberwolves point margin of victory was enough to cover the spread as 8.0 point favorite. This has been the only matchup between the two teams this season. Similar to their season-long average, the Timberwolves averaged 111.0 points per game vs the Lakers. While the Timberwolves were able to maintain their usual level of production against Los Angeles, the Lakers averaged fewer points per game in the series, at 96.75. In terms of betting, Minnesota has an ATS record of 5-0 in the previous 5 matchups vs Los Angeles. This mark has come on an average scoring margin of +14 points per game in favor of the Timberwolves. Minnesota and Los Angeles averaged a combined 208 points per game in these games, leading to an over-under mark of 0-5.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

The Timberwolves come into today’s game as one of the better scoring teams in the NBA at 115.4 points per game (10th). Coming into today’s game, the Timberwolves will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 11.9 made 3’s per game. Minnesota appears to be a candidate to have some offensive regression as not only are they a below average outside shooting unit, but they are generating free-throws at a rate below the NBA average.

On defense, the Timberwolves will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 24th ranked unit in points allowed per game.

This season, the Timberwolves offense has primarily worked through Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels who are 1st and 2nd on the team in scoring. In his 64 games, Edwards is 23rd in the NBA at 24.6 points per game. So far, him and McDaniels have accounted for 32% of the team’s field goal attempts while combining to average 36.2 points per contest. In addition to sitting 2nd on the team in scoring, Jaden McDaniels is grabbing 3.9 rebounds for Minnesota to go along with 2.0 assists.

Los Angeles will look to continue with their strong offensive play, as they are averaging 117.0 points per game (7th). For the season, the Lakers have been playing an up-tempo style of basketball as they sit 1st in the NBA in possessions per game.. Thus far, the team’s faced paced style of play has helped their overall numbers, as they are currently the 7th team in made field goals per contest.

Defensively, Los Angeles has had its problems giving up an average of 115.15 points per game (28th).

Keep in mind that the top two scorers for the Lakers, LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell, will not be playing in today’s game. This season, James has been averaging 29.5 points per game, and Russell has been averaging 17.6 points per game.