Minnesota Timberwolves vs LA Lakers Prediction

Minnesota Timberwolves vs LA Lakers Prediction

After a 122-105 defeat by the Denver Nuggets to snap their win streak, the Lakers' short road trip ends in Minnesota overnight against a struggling cross-conference counterpart in the Timberwolves (7-20).

They are again playing without key point guard D'Angelo Russell (leg soreness), while All-Star centre Karl-Anthony Towns continues to build himself back after missing a large chunk of the campaign (wrist, COVID-19). 

The Lakers haven't exactly been blessed with the best luck lately either: pivotal PF Anthony Davis (calf strain) is set to be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks after reaggravating a previous injury last time out.

How will LeBron James and the supporting cast fare early on Wednesday without a key cog in their winning machine here? Read my basketball preview, for the best betting odds ahead of this compelling H2H matchup.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs LA Lakers Preview

Davis, a seven-time All-Star and finalist in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season, re-injured his right Achilles during their defeat at Denver - fifth-year PG Jamal Murray the Nuggets charge with 25 points, six rebounds and four assists despite also being listed as questionable on the injury report. 

Davis isn't expected to return to the Lakers' lineup until after the All-Star break ending March 10 and had this to say, post-match: 

"I've kind of just been dealing with my whole career, just having the injury bug. Something minor, it's fine. I'll go out there and play. But this injury is a little different because it's an Achilles."

Davis, who missed two games last week, finished with 35 points and nine rebounds in 35 minutes against Memphis. You could argue his departure was key as Michael Malone's men grew in confidence on both ends. 

Now, the defending champion Lakers need to find ways to compensate for his averages: 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3 assists in 32.8 minutes (23 games) this term. Davis' absence should move Kyle Kuzma into a starting role and likely means additional minutes for offseason acquisition Montrezl Harrell too. 

In six starts this term, Kuzma is averaging 14.3 points. Harrell scored 21 and 20 in the victories over OKC that Davis missed last week, but they'll need multiple players to match up well against Minnesota's Towns, whose 20 points and 11 rebounds helped the Timberwolves snap a four-game losing streak at the Raptors' expense. 

Small sample size, sure. But Minnesota is 3-4 with Towns in their lineup and 4-16 without him. Recently, Malik Beasley said: 

"Playing with KAT, it's easier, because when he gets the ball, I can cut off him and things like that. Where if he's not in the game, or D-Lo is not here, I have to get the ball moving. Either way, I'm happy with him on the court and ready to get some wins together."

So, how will this one unfold? 

Minnesota Timberwolves vs LA Lakers Betting Tips

Even with Davis' absence, ESPN's BPI is pulling no punches with who they believe will prevail in this matchup. 

The Lakers (74.9%) are three-to-one favourites, and considering the Timberwolves' dwindling form, it makes sense. D'Lo won't feature against his former team either, so they're lacking significant firepower themselves. 

I think the Timberwolves will do well to stay competitive and perhaps stretch their visitors late on, largely down to how well KAT and number one draft pick Anthony Edwards fare as far as their shooting efficiency is concerned. 

Ultimately though, there should only be one winner.