LA Lakers versus Minnesota Timberwolves Pick Prediction NBA Pro Basketball Odds Preview 2-28-2013

The 20-33 Minnesota Timberwolves will travel to face the 28-30 LA Lakers in an NBA pro basketball game on Thursday night. Tip off time from Staples Center in LA is scheduled for 10:30PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by TNT. The odds from this NBA game will come out on Thursday afternoon as Nikola Pekovic is questionable with an injury for Minnesota. The teams met back on February 1st with the LA Lakers posting the 111-100 road win at Minnesota as a -2 ½ point betting favorite. The game ended over the total of 200 ½ points. Minnesota is 7-19 on the road this season. They lose their third straight following an 84-83 road defeat on Tuesday to the Phoenix Suns as a +1 ½ point underdog. The game ended under 196 points. The Timberwolves rally from a 14 point halftime deficit to force the overtime period. They shoot 34.4% from the floor and made 5 of 19 from three. They allowed the Suns 40.7% shooting and because of Minnesota bad shooting fails to take advantage of 21 Phoenix turnovers. Derrick Williams led the team with 21 points and 12 rebounds on 8 of 16 shooting. With Kevin Love sidelined the Timberwolves offense has slid downward. They rank in the bottom third in all four key offensive areas. Minnesota is the worst three point shooting team in the NBA as they make 30% from beyond the arc. The LA Lakers are 18-11 on their home court. Their three game win streak is snapped in a 119-108 road defeat to the Denver Nuggets as a +7 ½ point underdog. The total landed over 217 ½ points. LA couldn’t overcome a 77-64 deficit at the half. The Lakers waste a 55.1% shooting game along with 8 of 19 from three. They allowed Denver 55.7% shooting and to pull down 8 more rebounds than the LA Lakers. The teams lack of foot speed was greatly exposed by the fast pace of Denver. Kobe Bryant had 29 points and 9 assists on 12 of 23 shooting. In the playoff chase the Lakers trail Houston by 3 games with only 24 games left to be played. For the Lakers to earn a playoff spot they must defend better. They allow 101.3 points a game ranking 24th in the NBA.