The Los Angeles Lakers (13-11) and Minnesota Timberwolves (12-11) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Timberwolves are 8.5-point favorites over the Lakers on the spread (Wolves -8.5), with the over/under set at 213.5 total points. Minnesota is a -345 favorite to win outright, while Los Angeles is +275 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Lakers vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks for Friday, December 13.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves Picks, Prediction
Spread
My Timberwolves vs. Lakers best bet is on Minnesota to cover the spread at -8.5. But as always, be sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Moneyline
I will not be betting either side of the moneyline in this matchup. However I am backing the Wolves against the spread.
Over/Under
I'm staying away from the total in this spot.
My Pick: Timberwolves -8.5 (-110)
Lakers vs. Timberwolves Odds
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -110 | 213.5 -110 / -110 | +275 |
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -110 | 213.5 -110 / -110 | -345 |
- Lakers vs Timberwolves spread: Timberwolves -8.5
- Lakers vs Timberwolves over/under: 213.5 points
- Lakers vs Timberwolves moneyline: Lakers +275, Timberwolves -345
- Lakers vs Timberwolves best bet: Timberwolves -8.5
Lakers vs. Timberwolves NBA Friday
The Lakers take on the Timberwolves and will be without LeBron James (personal) for this one. Without LeBron, the Lakers will likely lean on Anthony Davis even moreso.
The injury report does not stop with LeBron though. Austin Reaves (pelvis – questionable), Anthony Davis (foot – probable), Jalen Hood Schifino (hamstring – out) also join him on the report today. The Lakers roster will be a bit thin compared to Minnesota who only have Joe Ingles on theirs.
The Lakers have been a below-average team in their advanced stats with a -2.2 Adjusted Net Rating. While the offense has been solid (113.3 – 11th), the defense is the sixth-worst in the league (115.6).
As for Minnesota, their offense has floundered a bit (112.1 – 18th), but the defense is once again elite (108.3 – 4th) for the league's eight-best Adjusted Net Rating (+3.7), per Dunks and Threes.
In the first two matchups of the season between these two teams, they split them, with the Lakers winning 110-103 and the Wolves winning 109-80. The Lakers have been abysmal from 3-point range in both games and they were unable to generate an edge against this Minnesota defense.
Rudy Gobert has been strong in this matchup against Anthony Davis. He has recorded a double double in seven straight matchups against AD (+100, ESPN Bet), and I would play that here as well.
If this line moves to too much juice I'd consider over 22.5 points + rebounds. Davis has also had success on the opposite side of the floor. He is averaging 31.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game against Gobert over his last six contests when he plays at least 20 minutes.
Additionally, when AD has played without LeBron, he is averaging 27.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over the last three seasons.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves have the edge here due to their health and strength from beyond the arc, which is an area that the Lakers have struggled from on both offense and defense.
Considering Minnesota's defense should be able to hold up with the extra rest, I'll lay the points with the home favorite in this matchup.
For my same game parlay, I'll put together Gobert Double Double, Anthony Davis 25+ Points, and Mike Conley 4+ Assists for a potential payout of +249 at FanDuel.
Best Bet: Timberwolves -8.5 (-110)
Same Game Parlay Pick
- Rudy Gobert Double Double (-120)
- Anthony Davis 25+ Points (-250)
- Mike Conley 4+ Assists (-230)
Parlay Payout: +249
