Timberwolves vs. Lakers NBA expert prediction and odds for Sunday, April 7 (Back Wolves?)

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 0.5 games back of the Denver Nuggets for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but they have a tough matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.

Los Angeles has jumped into the No. 8 spot in the West, winning four straight games in the process, including Saturday’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

There’s a chance that these teams could meet in the first round of the playoffs, so this will be a good test for both squads to see where they stand.

With Karl-Anthony Towns still out, can the Wolves hang around as short dogs in Los Angeles?

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Here’s the odds and my favorite bet for this matchup: 

Timberwolves vs. Lakers odds, spread and total

Timberwolves vs. Lakers how to watch

• Date: Sunday, April 7
• Time: 10:00 p.m. ESt
• Venue: Crypto.com Arena
• How to watch (TV): NBA TV
• Timberwolves record: 53-24
• Lakers record: 45-33

Timberwolves vs. Lakers injury reports

Timberwolves injury report

• Jaylen Clark – out
• Karl-Anthony Towns – out

Lakers injury report

• Not submitted yet

Timberwolves vs. Lakers key players to watch

Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards: An All-Star this season, Edwards comes into this game averaging 25.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game for the Wolves. In his last meeting with the Lakers, Edwards dropped 25 points in an 11-point loss. Can he carry the offense to a win tonight? 

Los Angeles Lakers

D’Angelo Russell: All season long, Russell has been the X-Factor for the Lakers, and he showed that on Saturday by putting up 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field. Russell is averaging 20.3 points and 6.0 assists per game since the All-Star break. 

Timberwolves vs. Lakers prediction and pick 

The Timberwolves are underdogs in this one, but I actually think they have a shot to win this game outright. 

Los Angeles has struggled mightily on the second night of back-to-backs this season, going 4-10 ATS – the second-worst mark in the NBA.

Meanwhile, the Wolves are 13-8-1 against the spread when they have a rest advantage, and the team is pretty much healthy – outside of Towns – coming into this one.

Both of these teams have a lot to play for, but are the Lakers as willing to run LeBron James and Anthony Davis for big minutes on Sunday after they each played 36 on Saturday?

I think both players end up suiting up, but the Wolves have been a solid road team (25-14 straight up) this season while the Lakers can’t seem to cover as home favorites (14-15 ATS).

I’ll take the points with Minnesota on Sunday. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.