Timberwolves vs Lakers Picks caps off a play-in Tuesday night slate. This nightcap gives us some challenges to try our hand at late-night betting. While there is no value in Los Angeles on the moneyline, we examine other options. Bovada online sportsbook gives us a few more early plays. Remember these excellent betting site bonuses on Tuesday to lend some wings to a sagging bankroll.
Timberwolves vs Lakers picks for this Tuesday night feature a considerable amount of volatility. The hope lies in the fact that everyone stops in-fighting and gets down to playing basketball. After all, the seventh and eighth seeds in the West have to win to get into the actual playoffs. Now, there are some things to consider when it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers.
This Los Angeles home game concerns us a lot because of how mediocre the Lakers are at home. Los Angeles possesses a mark of 23-18 at home but 21-19-1 overall ATS. Minnesota comes in at 20-21 away from home with a solid 21-20 ATS road mark. Obviously, one of the biggest points of contention was the status of Rudy Gobert. Well, that has been cleared up with ease.
With a short-handed lineup, Minnesota appears to be at a loss here. Considering overall, both teams come in pretty hot. The Lakers have won eight of their previous ten, while the Timberwolves have won seven of their last ten contests. Minnesota has a slightly better conference record at 29-23 and a divisional record at 8-8. It is nothing great, but the belief is the Timberwolves may have more chemistry with Gobert than without Gobert at this point.
So, based on the current injury report and projections, looking at Minnesota laying 7.5 points with a small wager is worth monitoring (-110). Suppose this goes out to 8 or 8.5, green light this even more. Now, this becomes feasible because this is Los Angeles. Anything the Lakers should easily do something, they do not. Even getting into the play-in round the way they did was unexpected, to say the least.
So, the Timberwolves vs Lakers picks lean on the over. Minnesota knows they are missing key pieces to go up against the Lakers. That means the Timberwolves are pushing the pace of play at the risk of allowing more points defensively. Yes, this Los Angeles team allows nearly 117 points per game. The Lakers score 117.2 points a night. With the Minnesota hot streak, they evened their scoring margin at 115.8 points per game.
VegasBetting asks whether this 231.5 number can hit with ease. That answer screams no. Nothing ever comes easy in Los Angeles. However, the idea is that there is better than a 50% chance of success here. We talk in the 52-53% range based on the last 25 games. Also, LeBron James is 38 and essentially played 2/3 of a season for a moment like this. He will push it offensively at the expense of defense too.
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have not won an NBA Playoff series since 11 October 2020. pic.twitter.com/FRJcnDVgWR
— Ricky J. Marc, J.D., M.S. (@RickyJMarc) April 10, 2023
It is a technicality to be mentioned, but this round is a play-in round to get to the playoffs. However, the second season has not been kind since that first pandemic year. For those wondering, they beat Minnesota in Minnesota as the two teams combined for 234 points. Also, not everyone from the offensive side of the ball was healthy for that clash.
Yes, NBA Vegas online betting sites count on enticing game props. Such as the Lakers might go over 119.5 points (+125). This game could become a contest where Minnesota gets 115 points or more. Let’s pick the over for now and then plunge into the rest of these bets.
The Timberwolves vs Lakers Picks challenge us when considering props and a possible hedge. This postseason err second season, becomes a series of mini-slates that test the patience of many. Betting at this stage could be the worst because it is not a best-of-seven playoff series. Honestly, these games are their own animal, separate from Round 1 and the first 82 contests.
NBA online prop bets love Karl-Anthony Towns and the PRA prop (points, rebounds, and assists) of 38.5. This one rolls in at -115, which is unusually generous. Kyle Anderson (also from Minnesota) has a PRA of only 26.5 (-110). Hey, that may be even more hook-worthy for Tuesday night. Again, the Lakers are going to give up their points, and Gobert told him to grab a board.
Okay, what about a few more defensive choices? What about them? The best thing for this game is to look more at the offensive side of the ball. Few things look comforting defensively. Los Angeles plays at a pace of 101.3 (third in the NBA). That number climbs to around 102 at home.
Finally, let’s look at a potential fun hedge. If one asks hey, where do I wager a couple of dollars Tuesday night, toss it on the Minnesota moneyline wherever it may roam err lie. Right now, it is +280. If that number goes beyond +300, take a shot. What is the worst that could happen?
So, watch these NBA Play-In games. Frustration gets painful for bettors in these because the perceived home-court advantage may not be as strong in some contests as in others. It gets one ready for playoff betting – for better or worse.
Summary
Chris Wassel AA, AAS CURRENTLY Sports Writer and Journalist RESIDES IN Rahway, NJ EDUCATION Union County College, Montclair State University EXPERTISE Business, Writing, Sports, Food, Grilling, Olympics, Injuries, Politics, and more Summary Member of FSWA, FSGA, and a variety of Sports Betting Groups. Lead arranger of news and injury reports for Rotoballer Hockey. Also did the news lead for NASCAR on the same site coming out of COVID. Strategy and mapping out of various sports betting and sports articles for MyNHLTradeRumors and gambling.com. Runs a hockey and fantasy hockey podcast that teaches fantasy hockey players how to improve their skills. Experience Chris Wassel has 20+ years of sports journalistic experience in various disciplines.. His ability to play sports is well documented. Most people in the business just write. However, Chris will race cars and even a super Moto bike from time to time. There is that fitness and hiking/cycling aspect too. Chris has climbed mountains from Mount Washington to Mount San Jacinto in Palm Springs, California. For those that do not know. Chris also dabbles in food eating contests and challenges. Having a unique background with friends including Joey Chestnut and Casey Webb, Chris has the ability to eat a whole 16-pound turkey or a 32 inch meat lover's pizza. Since 2013, Chris has primarily focused on sports writing and fitness. On social media, he will answer any question in many different aspects. Even Chris's ability to wager on Entertainment and US Elections is well documented. He was able to predict Joe Biden's inevitable dip in approval rating below 40%. Throughout his career, Chris has worked at a lot of places from DraftKings to USA Today and much more. Finally, Chris has been nominated for quite a few awards from the Fantasy Sports Writers Association for Hockey Writer Of The Year. Also, there have been a number of amazing fantasy hockey championships from expert to high-stake leagues. Education Chris received an Associates from Union Country College for business and accounting. Chris did sports journalism work at Montclair State University covering the hockey, baseball, and football teams. Quote from Chris Wassel "Do Not Think, Just Do.”
Education
1999 Graduate of Union County College
1993 Graduate of Rahway High School
Professional Achievements
Media credentialed member of the New Jersey Devils since 2010
Covered several NHL Drafts including the one day event in Newark in 2013
Been on countless podcasts, TV shows, and more including Sportsnet and even NHL Network