The Los Angeles Lakers finish up their road trip with a visit to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered another heart-breaking defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday evening. The Lakers lost 110-106, their second close encounter with the Spurs this season. They will look to get back into the win column tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This is the first of four matchups between the two teams this season. Last season, the Timberwolves handled the Lakers with ease. Minnesota won all four matchups, including three blowouts.
The Lakers and Timberwolves come into tonight’s matchup with identical 2-4 records. Both teams have also lost heading into the game, as Minnesota got their doors blown off by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Los Angeles will be back to full strength for the game tonight. Brandon Ingram will return from his four-game suspension after Rajon Rondo returned from his three-game suspension on Saturday night.
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The Lakers went 2-2 without Ingram in the lineup. Getting him back will lengthen their rotation and give the Lakers another scoring option. Minnesota has struggled on the defensive end, much like the Lakers, so there should be plenty of offense tonight.
The Jimmy Butler saga has carried into the regular season for Minnesota, as well. Butler asked for a trade, but that request has not been met. It has made for some awkwardness, as Butler clearly doesn’t want to be there.
The biggest issue for Minnesota, however, is Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns signed a massive contract extension in the offseason and has not come close to living up to the hype, averaging 16.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.0 blocks per game. The offensive stats would all be career-lows for Towns.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have JaVale McGee producing a career season at the center position. They will be one of the matchups to watch throughout the night.
Timberwolves’ forward Andrew Wiggins is questionable for the game. If he is sidelined, the Lakers will have a huge advantage on the wing with rookie Josh Okogie stepping into the lineup for Wiggins.
Game Info
Date: October 29th, 2018
Start time: 8 pm ET, 5 pm PT
Location: Los Angeles, California
Stadium: Staples Center
TV Info: NBA TV, SpecSN, FSNTH
Radio: 710 AM ESPN / 1330 AM ESPN DEPORTES, 830 WCCO
Live Stream: FuboTV
Game Odds
Another game, another night that the Lakers are predicted to be in a close game by Las Vegas. Oddsmakers believe this game will essentially be a toss-up, and we would agree. If the Timberwolves are healthy, they should have a slight advantage at home. However, if Wiggins is sidelined, the Lakers will have a distinct advantage.
Spread: Lakers +1 or EVEN
Total: 230.5 or 231
Moneyline: Lakers -110 up to +102, Timberwolves -117 up to -110
Projected Starting Lineups
Lakers
PG: Lonzo Ball
SG: Josh Hart
SF: Brandon Ingram
PF: LeBron James
C: JaVale McGee
Timberwolves
PG: Jeff Teague
SG: Josh Okogie (If Andrew Wiggins can’t go)
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: Taj Gibson
C: Karl-Anthony Towns