Timberwolves vs. Lakers Predictions, Odds, Props: LA Favored in West Play-In Game

Before the 2023 NBA Playoffs officially begin, the play-in tournament decides the final two seeds in each conference. The winner of Tuesday night’s West play-in game between the LA Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves claims the No. 7 seed in the conference and moves on to face Memphis in the first round.

According to the Lakers vs. Timberwolves odds listed at sportsbooks, the Lakers should do just that, especially with Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert not making the trip to LA.

It has been an underwhelming season for the Lakers, but a 9-2 run to the end of the regular season has fans excited about the postseason. The Timberwolves also had a strong finish, going 7-3 in their last ten, including a loss to the Lakers.

Despite winning the season series 2-1, the T-wolves are underdogs heading into Tuesday night’s game.

Timberwolves vs. Lakers: Moneyline, Point Spread, and Total

Here are the odds for Timberwolves vs. Lakers from several of the top sports betting apps in the country:

Expectations are always high for any team that LeBron James is on, and for most of the season, it did not look like they had even a remote shot of living up to them. But with the roster relatively healthy in recent weeks, the Lakers got hot, winning nine of their last 11 and 14 of their last 20.

James finished the season on a roll, with 30+ points in three of the last four games and a 28.9 PPG season average. Anthony Davis was red-hot in March with seven 30+ point games, but he cooled off in April with 21 points or fewer in four of his last five.

While he may not be the scoring threat James is, Davis averaged a double-double for the season with 25.9 PPG and 12.5 RPG.

Minnesota won the season series with the Lakers, 2-1. But the T-Wolves faced a Lakers team down one of its superstars in both wins. Davis sat out the first game back in October (which Minnesota won 111-102), and James was out for the second game in March (which the T-Wolves won 110-102).

With Davis and James in the lineup on Mar. 31, the Lakers won 123-111.

Also check: 2023 NBA Finals odds

Timberwolves vs. Lakers Betting Trends

• Lakers record: 43-39 SU, 40-41-1 ATS
• Timberwolves record: 42-20 SU, 40-42 ATS
• Lakers Over record: 44-38
• Timberwolves Over record: 39-43
• Los Angeles owns the all-time series with Minnesota, 84-41.
• The T-Wolves won the season series 2-1.
• The teams are 5-5 in their last ten meetings dating back to the 2020-21 season.
• The betting favorite in the first two games was Minnesota (-7 and -1.5), but the favorite in the third game was the Lakers (-1).
• The Over is 1-2 in those three games; it went Under 230.5 and 226 in the first two and Over 232.5 in the third.
• T-Wolves Key Players: Anthony Edwards, 24.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.4 APG; Karl-Anthony Towns, 20.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG; Mike Conley, 42% 3PT
• Lakers Key Players: LeBron James 28.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 6.8 APG; Anthony Davis 25.9 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 2 BPG; D’Angelo Russell 17.4 PPG, 41.4% 3PT

T’Wolves vs. Lakers Betting Analysis & Prediction

This contest should be an entertaining and relatively competitive game. But the difference maker will be the absence of Minnesota center Rudy Gobert (suspended for throwing a punch at a teammate during Sunday’s game). The T-Wolves will not be able to replace his presence inside, which will lead to a big day for Anthony Davis on the boards and a lot of second-chance points for the Lakers.

Minnesota is still good enough to make a game of it, but the Lakers will start to pull away in the second half.

Our Pick: Lakers -7

Timberwolves vs. Lakers Player Props

LeBron James, Over 28.5 points -109 (Caesars)

James has had the hot hand of late, with 30+ points in three of his last four games. In the two games he played against the T-Wolves, he scored 25 and 18 points, but with the postseason on the line, James will bring his A-game. With Gobert staying home, the T-Wolves defense will suffer.

LeBron James, double-double Yes +100 (BetMGM)

It would take a terrible injury in the first quarter or some terrible luck for James not to score ten points. He recorded a double-double in the Mar. 31 game against Minnesota, and with Gobert absent, it should be easier for him to do so in this game.

Mike Conley, Over 2.5 three-pointers +130 (DraftKings)

Conley is the best three-point shooter the T-Wolves have. With the hole in the Minnesota defense (where Gobert should be) making it easy for the Lakers to score in the paint, the T-Wolves will be in catch-up mode early. That means more three-point attempts for Conley and a good chance he’ll make three.

Anthony Davis, Over 2.5 turnovers +140 (DraftKings)

AD has three or more turnovers in just three of his last 11 games. But in the two games he played Minnesota, he had three and five. Because of that, we see value in this prop since it has plus-money odds.

D’Angelo Russell, Over 5.5 rebounds +110 (DraftKings)

Russell averaged 6.2 APG this season and had a solid day in the Lakers win over the T-Wolves on Mar. 31 with ten. Expect the Lakers to take advantage of no Gobert by attacking the paint, which means more opportunities to record assists for Russell.