Lakers vs Timberwolves Preview, Predictions, Betting Odds, Live Stream Info

How will the Lakers’ new rotations look as they take on the Timberwolves

The Los Angeles Lakers are possibly in more turmoil even more so than they were through the first 20 games of the 2015-16 season. However, they will be trying to overcome the currently tumultuous times as their road trip takes them to the Target Center for a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday evening, a rematch of opening night.

The Wolves are a team with at least a somewhat similar roster construction to the Lakers. Both players boast veterans at the end of the road in Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett, but are highlighted by young talent such as D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle for the Lakers and such as Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns for Minnesota. The obvious difference between the two, though, is that the Wolves have found success far more often than the Lakers this season.

The young core of the Lakers is in the forefront of the discussion heading into this game. This will be the second game since Byron Scott made the undeniably questionable decision to demote Russell and Randle to the bench in favor of starting Larry Nance Jr. and Lou Williams.

While that decision to move arguably the two most pivotal pieces of the Lakers roster out of the starting lineup still seems unfathomably short-sighted by Scott, both players performed well coming off of the bench on Monday night against the Toronto Raptors.

More from Lake Show Life

• Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
• Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
• Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
• Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
• Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated

However, it’s inescapable that the Raptors were far from full-strength and that taking Russell and Randle out of the starting-five disregards the purpose of this entire 2015-16 season to develop those two to help establish the future of the franchise. Moreover, it will be interesting to see how these new rotations fare against a fully healthy, high-energy Timberwolves team.

In terms of the matchups for Wednesday night, though, the Lakers’ defense is likely going to have a tough time with the athleticism that the Wolves have on the perimeter and with Towns’ ability to knock down shots outside of the paint. On the other end, it will be interesting to see if Kobe tries to attack the athletically superior Wiggins in their matchup on the wing and how the Lakers point guards fare against Ricky Rubio.

This game shouldn’t be a blowout; the Lakers at least have the capability to keep things close in this matchup. However, there’s also the chance that Scott’s most recent boneheaded decision will fully come back to bite the team.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 9
Start Time: 5 p.m. PT
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Arena: Target Center
TV Info: TWC Sportsnet, Fox Sports North
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: Here

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Timberwolves -6.5
Moneyline: Timberwolves -265, Lakers +215
O/U: 204

Injury Report

Los Angeles Lakers: None

Minnesota Timberwolves: Nikola Pekovic (ankle)—Out

Prediction

This will be the second game since Byron changed the rotations and moved Russell and Randle to the second-unit. However, this game has the potential to expose that idea for being as bad as everyone thinks much more than playing a banged up Raptors team did. The Wolves should be able to come out on top in this one.

Next: Simulating the Lakers' 2016 Draft Lottery Scenarios

Be sure to check back with Lake Show Life for Lakers news, updates, analysis, and more.