{"id":732,"date":"2025-04-26T05:27:12","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T05:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/732\/"},"modified":"2025-04-26T05:27:12","modified_gmt":"2025-04-26T05:27:12","slug":"lakers-at-timberwolves-odds-picks-and-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/732\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers at Timberwolves odds, picks and predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> and the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> play Game 3 of a Western Conference best-of-7, first-round series Friday at Target Center in Minneapolis. The series is tied 1-1. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s<\/a> NBA odds around the Lakers vs. Timberwolves odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions<\/a> for the best bets.<\/p>\n

Regular-season series: Split 2-2<\/p>\n

The Lakers covered as 5.5-point home favorites in a 94-85 win over the Timberwolves in Game 2 Tuesday with the Under (212) hitting — and we cashed on the side<\/a>. F Luka Doncic finished with 31 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists, and F LeBron James added 21 points. The Lakers bounced back after a 117-95 loss as 4.5-point home favorites in Saturday’s Game 1 — the Under (215) cashed in that one as well.<\/p>\n

Timberwolves F Julius Randle had 27 points in Game 2 vs. his former team — Randle was drafted by L.A. in 2014 — and G Anthony Edwards added 25 points. Minnesota trailed 34-15 after a lopsided first quarter and never got closer than 9 points the rest of the way.<\/p>\n

Each team covered the spread twice in their 4 regular-season meetings, with the Under going 4-0.<\/p>\n

Lakers at Timberwolves odds<\/p>\n

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook<\/a>; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:23 a.m. ET.<\/p>\n

Moneyline (ML): Lakers +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Timberwolves -150 (bet $150 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Lakers +3.5 (-115) | Timberwolves -3.5 (-105)Over\/Under (O\/U): 205.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Lakers at Timberwolves key injuries<\/p>\n

Lakers<\/p>\n

Timberwolves<\/p>\n

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Play our free daily Pick\u2019em Challenge<\/a> and win! Play now<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Lakers at Timberwolves picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n

Timberwolves 101, Lakers 100<\/p>\n

While Minnesota (-150) will probably win on its home floor, backing what I consider the lesser team at this price isn\u2019t a risk I\u2019m willing to take.<\/p>\n

PASS. Bet the spread and\/or total instead.<\/p>\n

The Lakers went from 5.5-point home favorites in Game 2 to 3.5-point road underdogs in Game 3. While I understand home court is worth more in the playoffs and the zig-zag theory is upgrading Minnesota, 3.5 points is too high of a spread.<\/p>\n

The Timberwolves went just 14-22 ATS (38.9%) as home favorites during the regular season — according to TeamRankings.com — frequently failing to win by margin. There\u2019s little reason to expect that to suddenly change in the postseason.<\/p>\n

BET LAKERS +3.5 (-115).<\/p>\n

The Under has cashed in 6 straight meetings, and that’s not a trend I’m comfortable fading. Expect another low-scoring affair in Game 3.<\/p>\n

BET UNDER 205.5 (-110).<\/p>\n

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow @corey_a_scott on Twitter\/X<\/a>. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter\/X<\/a> and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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