Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Picks and Predictions December 13th 2024

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers December 13th 2024

At 8:00 ET, the Timberwolves (-389) will host the Lakers (+307) in a Western Conference matchup. The over/under line for this game is 214.

Minnesota (-9) is 12-11 and 9th in the Western Conference, while the Lakers are 13-11 and 8th in the West. The game will be played at the Target Center in Minneapolis and can be seen on FDSN.

Lakers vs. Timberwolves Key Information

The Lakers improved to 13-11 on the season with a 107-98 win over the Trail Blazers on Sunday. Playing at home, Los Angeles covered the -7.5 point spread, while the game’s total points of 205 fell well short of the 223.5 O/U line.

A pivotal 15-0 run by the Lakers shifted the game’s momentum, as they went from trailing 35-29 to leading 44-35. They dominated the 2nd quarter, outscoring Portland 37-17, but had to regroup after a rough 3rd quarter. Heading into the 4th with a 77-74 lead, the Lakers finished strong, outscoring the Blazers 30-24 in the final period.

Anthony Davis led the way with 30 points and 11 rebounds in the Lakers’ win over the Trail Blazers, shooting 47.6% from the field. D’Angelo Russell added 28 points and 14 assists, hitting 5 threes at a 50% clip, while Rui Hachimura contributed 23 points, making 3 threes at 60% shooting.

The Lakers connected on 13 threes, shooting 38.2% from deep, with an overall field goal percentage of 45.8%. Davis scored 14 points in the 1st quarter, while Russell added 13 points in the 4th, and Hachimura put up 14 points in the 2nd quarter.

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The Lakers put together a strong defensive performance on Sunday, holding the Trail Blazers to just 98 points. Their best effort came in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed only 17 points. Overall, they limited Portland to 41% shooting from the field.

Los Angeles did an excellent job defending the three-point line, with the Blazers making just 9 threes on 25% shooting. The Lakers also recorded 14 steals and 7 blocks in the game.

The Timberwolves fell to 12-11 on the season after a 114-106 loss to the Warriors on Sunday. Minnesota was +1.5 point underdogs going into the game and failed to cover the spread. The total points of 220.5 exceeded the pre-game line of 215.5 by 4.5 points.

Minnesota got off to a strong start, leading 30-21 after the 1st quarter. They played the Warriors evenly in the 2nd quarter, with both teams scoring 28 points. However, the Timberwolves struggled in the 3rd quarter, allowing 44 points while scoring 32. Heading into the 4th quarter down 93-90, Minnesota managed just 16 points in the final frame while the Warriors added 21 to secure the win.

In their 114-106 loss to the Warriors, the Timberwolves connected on 19 three-pointers, shooting 45.2% from deep. Overall, they shot 45.6% from the field.

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Anthony Edwards led the way with 27 points, including 15 in the 3rd quarter. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 19 points, scoring 10 in the 4th quarter.

Defensively, the Timberwolves were solid in the 1st and 4th quarters, holding the Warriors to 21 points in each. However, a rough 3rd quarter, where they allowed 44 points, contributed to their 114-106 loss. Minnesota gave up 16 three-pointers on 39% shooting from beyond the arc.

The Timberwolves sent the Warriors to the line 20 times, where they converted 14 free throws. Minnesota grabbed 32 defensive rebounds but allowed 14 offensive boards. They also recorded 6 steals and 8 blocks in the game.

We’re putting our money on the Timberwolves to win, and have the projected score sitting at 132-100. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Timberwolves at -9.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 214 and given that our model is projecting 232 points between the teams, we like the over.

Timberwolves Look to Continue Strong Play as They Host Lakers

The Minnesota Timberwolves, riding a wave of recent success, will look to secure their fifth win in six games when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night in Minneapolis. The game promises an intriguing matchup, with Minnesota’s dynamic duo of Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards going head-to-head against a Lakers squad grappling with inconsistency and potentially missing LeBron James.

Gobert and Edwards: A Growing Partnership

Since joining the Timberwolves, Rudy Gobert has established himself as a defensive powerhouse, but his impact extends beyond shot-blocking and rebounding. His ability to set screens has become a vital part of Minnesota’s offense, particularly in creating opportunities for Anthony Edwards.

“It has really developed over Rudy’s time here,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said of the duo’s chemistry. “Rudy has long been one of the screen setters. … Ant’s willingness now to take that 3 has been huge, and Ant’s willingness to look for Rudy at different levels of the floor, like in the pocket or at the rim, we’ve been able to complete a lot more of that.”

Edwards leads the Timberwolves with 26.4 points per game, while Gobert contributes on both ends, providing screens and finishing plays. Finch acknowledged the importance of utilizing Gobert’s abilities in pick-and-roll situations more frequently.

Lakers Face Challenges, Potentially Without LeBron

The Lakers arrive in Minneapolis having lost seven of their past 10 games, though they are coming off a 107-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. However, their task may become even tougher with LeBron James reportedly unlikely to play due to foot soreness.

James, who turns 40 later this month, is averaging 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game. His shooting percentages have dipped compared to last season, but his presence remains critical to the Lakers’ success.

“LeBron is not with the team right now,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “He’s out for personal reasons, excused absence.”

If James is unavailable, the Lakers will lean heavily on Anthony Davis, who leads the team with 27.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. Austin Reaves, averaging 16.7 points, and the rest of the Lakers roster will need to step up in his absence.

“We’ve just got to do our part and just get better,” said Lakers backup center Christian Koloko. “When he comes back, he can just look at us and be like, ‘Oh yeah, (they) were actually working.’”

Season Series: A Split So Far

This will be the third of four regular-season matchups between the Timberwolves and Lakers. The teams split the first two games, with the Lakers winning the opener 110-103 on Oct. 22 in Los Angeles behind a dominant performance from Anthony Davis, who posted 36 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocks. Edwards paced the Timberwolves with 27 points in the loss.

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Minnesota responded emphatically in the second meeting, cruising to a 109-80 victory on Dec. 2 in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves showcased their depth with five players scoring in double digits, led by Julius Randle with 18 points. For the Lakers, D’Angelo Russell scored 20 points, including 4-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc.

What to Watch For

• Gobert’s Impact: Will the Timberwolves continue to maximize Gobert’s skills as a screener and finisher in their offense?
• Lakers Without LeBron: How will Los Angeles adjust if James is unavailable? Can Anthony Davis shoulder the load against Minnesota’s defense?
• Edwards’ Leadership: As Minnesota’s leading scorer, Edwards’ ability to exploit mismatches and create scoring opportunities will be pivotal.

With both teams seeking critical wins—Minnesota to maintain its momentum and Los Angeles to stay afloat in the Western Conference standings—Friday’s game promises to be a competitive and compelling contest.