Photo: Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune

The defending champions Los Angeles Lakers (1-1) will be hosting yet another Western Conference squad tonight, the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-0). The hosts bounced back after their defeat in the season opener and want to continue on the winning ways. The guests are one of the four undefeated teams of the West. They want to build on that momentum and extend their winning streak tonight.

Date/Time: 12-27-2020, 22:00 EDT Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -10 Total: +226.5

Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers have a 1-1 record (1-1 ATS, 2-0 O/U) and are tied with four more teams in the 8th place of the West. In their last game, they won the Dallas Mavericks at home, 115-138, beating the odds. Anthony Davis leads the team in scoring with 23 ppg, adding 7.5 rebounds per game.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Timberwolves have a 2-0 record (2-0 ATS, 0-2 O/U) and are tied with three more teams in the first place of the West. In their last game, they defeated the Utah Jazz on the road, 116-111, beating the odds. D’Angelo Russell leads the team both in scoring with 21.5 ppg and in assists made with 5 per game.

Head-to-Head

In their only meeting last season, the Lakers won at home 142-125. LA was 25-10 at home last season, while Minnesota was 11-21 on the road. Lakers are better offensively (123.5 to 113.5 ppg), while Wolves are better defensively (106 to 115.5 ppg).

Prediction

Over/Under is +226.5 tonight and I will go with Over. The Lakers are over in both games this season with +27.5 and +5.5. Over is also 4-0 in their last 4 home games and last season both teams combined for 267 points, +40.5 over the line.  

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction: Over +227 (-109)