Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview
Where: Target Center — Minneapolis, Minnesota
When: Thursday, March 30, 2017, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Lakers (+10.5) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (-10.5); total: 218.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TWSN / FSN
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Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers (21-53)
Point Spread: +10.5
Losing means winning for the lottery-bound Lakers, who hope to keep their top-3 protected pick for this year’s NBA Draft. But head coach Luke Walton has no plans of conceding victories, and he will look to guide his young squad to a road victory at Minnesota.
In two meetings this season, the home team’s emerged as the winner, and that trend should continue if the Purple and Gold succumb to their inexperience and play terrible defense. Attesting to this was Tuesday night’s 119-108 home loss to Washington, during which LA squandered a 13-point lead heading into the final period.
The loss dropped the Lakers to 16-18 since the All-Star break, and they have eight games left to play this season.
Something positive to take into tonight’s clash with the Timberwolves is D’Angelo Russell’s improvement. The former second overall pick is averaging 19.8 points and 4.9 assists, while shooting 37.9 percent from three-point distance in his last 16 games.
The Lakers also beat Minny just last week at the Staples Center, where they rallied behind a career night from Jordan Clarkson who finished with 35 points and drained eight treys.
Betting on the Minnesota Timberwolves (29-44)
Point Spread: -10.5
Three clutch free throws by Ricky Rubio, thanks to a late, questionable call, helped Minnesota snap a season-long six-game losing streak at Indiana on Tuesday night, 115-114.
Rubio finished the contest with a double-double of 21 points and 10 assists, complimenting what was a bigger night for Karl-Anthony Towns who led the team with 37 points on 12-of-22 shooting and gobbled up 12 rebounds.
The Kentucky product has now scored 25 or more points in his last nine games, and this personal onslaught should carry on versus a Lakers defense that doesn’t really pose much of a threat against any offense.
However, last week’s loss to LA is a reminder to not underestimate its potent offense, which put up 130 points on Minny’s defense. The Timberwolves have allowed 112 or more points in all but one of their previous seven games.
Writer’s Prediction
Minnesota (-10.5) wins, but can’t cover.
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