SportsLine’s model simulated Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers 10,000 times and revealed its NBA picks for Tuesday’s Game 2 first round matchup
The Minnesota Timberwolves look to take a commanding 2-0 lead when they take on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of their NBA playoff series on Tuesday. The No. 6 seed Timberwolves notched a 117-95 blowout win over the Lakers in Game 1 on Saturday. The series heads to Minnesota after Tuesday’s game. The Lakers were 27-15 against the spread in home games during the regular season, while the Timberwolves were 23-19 against the spread in road games.
Tipoff is at 10 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif. Los Angeles is the 5.5-point favorite in the latest Timberwolves vs. Lakers odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under for total points scored is 210.5. Before locking in any Lakers vs. Timberwolves picks, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters the first full week of the 2025 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 156-116 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $4,000. It is also 22-11 (67%) on top-rated NBA against-the-spread picks this season. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Lakers vs. Timberwolves 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Lakers vs. Timberwolves:
- Lakers vs. Timberwolves spread: Lakers -5.5 at DraftKings Sportsbook
- Lakers vs. Timberwolves over/under: 210.5 points
- Lakers vs. Timberwolves money line: Los Angeles -245, Minnesota +200
- LAL: The Lakers are 45-38 against the spread this season
- MINN: The Timberwolves are 40-42-1 against the spread this season
- Lakers vs. Timberwolves picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Lakers vs. Timberwolves streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Lakers can cover
The Lakers will be motivated and looking to avoid falling into a 0-2 hole in this best of seven series. Los Angeles has been hard to beat at Crypto.com Arena this season, especially when playing as favorites. In 33 home games as betting favorites, the Lakers went 21-12 against the spread during the regular season.
The Lakers have arguably the premier duo in the NBA in LeBron James and Luka Doncic. James continues to fight off Father Time, and averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game during the regular season. Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game in 28 regular season games with Los Angeles. James scored 19 points and had five rebounds, while Doncic scored 37 points and had eight rebounds in Game 1. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Why the Timberwolves can cover
Minnesota battled some inconsistencies during the regular season, but remains one of the most talented overall teams in the NBA. The Timberwolves’ potential was on full display in Game 1, when they notched a 117-95 blowout win. Anthony Edwards was dominant in the win, scoring 22 points to go with nine assists and eight rebounds.
Edwards continues to assert himself as one of the top young stars in the NBA today. The former No. 1 overall pick averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game during the regular season. Edwards has a lengthy track record of success in the postseason, with career averages of 27.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assist per game in 28 career playoff games. See which team to back at SportsLine.
How to make Timberwolves vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine’s model has simulated Lakers vs. Timberwolves and is leaning Over on the point total, projecting 214 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 60% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s NBA picks.
So who wins Lakers vs. Timberwolves, and which side of the spread hits in almost 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Lakers vs. Timberwolves spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
