Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Odds, injuries

By Dylan Jackson

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Jake Layman #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on December 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty aImages License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Jake Layman #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on December 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty aImages License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Minnesota Timberwolves will be at home in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at 7:00 PM CT.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, 7-20, will be going up against the team that currently holds the second-best record in the NBA in the Lakers. Los Angeles, the reigning Finals champion, is headed by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Timberwolves are coming off of a 4-point win to the Toronto Raptors, which saw Karl-Anthony Towns lead the team in scoring and rebounds.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Odds, injuries, what to watch for

The Minnesota Timberwolves finally have their star back – and his impact has been nothing short of substantial. Towns, in the three games that he has appeared in since returning from COVID protocols, is averaging 21 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game on absurd shooting splits of 57/50/67.

The Wolves will, however, be without their starting point guard, D’Angelo Russell, who will miss his fourth consecutive game.

Minnesota Timberwolves odds vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The Action Network has the Timberwolves as 6.5-point underdogs against the Los Angles Lakers – which seems correct given where the two teams are currently – even despite the recent injury to Anthony Davis.

Streaming info for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Television: Fox Sports North
Radio: 830 WCCO

What to watch for in Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The Minnesota Timberwolves are going to have to take advantage of a hurt Lakers frontcourt – one that will be without Anthony Davis. Still, Los Angeles has Montrezz Harrell and Marc Gasol, but both players pale in comparison to the rim protector and All-Defense caliber play that Davis brings – and with a guy such as Towns, coach Ryan Saunders has to go to him constantly in the half-court tonight.

The Lakers have a plethora of players that fill specific roles – most notably Dennis Schroder, who is averaging 14 points per game on 43/32/83 splits this season as a slasher/scorer. The Timberwolves will have to be reliant on Jordan McLaughlin as a defender in order to slow Schroder, who has recently been in a shooting slump (only five points per game in his last two appearances).

Anthony Edwards has been downright incredible over the past few weeks – and his playing himself back into the rookie of the year conversation (although again, it is unlikely he catches Ball, who is ahead of the pack). He will have to continue his good play against the top-2 seeded Lakers in order for the Timberwolves to have a chance tonight.

Injury report for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers:
Alex Caruso – DAY-TO-DAY
LeBron James (ankle) – PROBABLE
Anthony Davis (calf) – OUT
Kostas Antetokounmpo (knee) – OUT

Minnesota Timberwolves:
Jarrett Culver (ankle) – OUT
D’Angelo Russell (leg) – OUT

Next. Malik Beasley is worth the money for the Timberwolves. dark

Follow along during the game through our Twitter account and check back post game for instant analysis!

Home/Timberwolves News