The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for a crucial Game 2 on Tuesday against the Timberwolves after suffering an embarrassing home loss in the series opener. The team is treating this game as a must-win, as the Lakers would find themselves facing an insurmountable 2-0 hole heading to Minnesota if they lose on Tuesday.
The oddsmakers at FanDuel Sportsbook are expecting a bounce-back performance from the Lakers as they look to even the series.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 2 Betting Odds
Moneyline: Timberwolves: +205 | Lakers: -250
Spread: Timberwolves +5.5: -110 | Lakers -5.5: -110
Total: Over 210.5: -110 | Under 210.5: -110
The Lakers are 5.5-point favorites after losing Game 1 by 22 points. The total over/under is set at 210.5, suggesting a low-scoring affair. The Lakers will need to slow down the three-point barrage by the Timberwolves after allowing 21 made threes on Saturday to have a chance at winning.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 2 Player Props
- Luka Doncic Over 30.5 Points: -118 | Under 30.5 Points: -112
- LeBron James Over 24.5 Points: +100 | Under 24.5 Points: -132
- Austin Reaves Over 19.5 Points: +102 | Under 19.5 Points: -136
- Anthony Edwards Over 26.5 Points: +100 | Under 26.5 Points: -132
Lakers not named Luka Doncic struggled immensely in Game 1. LeBron James and Austin Reaves were both held under 20 points as they struggled to get easy looks at the basket and had inefficient nights from the field. Doncic will once again be the offensive engine for the Lakers, who will hope that two days of rest between the games will do wonders for them.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 2 Best Bets and Predictions
Head coach JJ Redick criticized his players during and after the game on Saturday, suggesting that they didn't bring playoff intensity and effort. That will be the biggest difference in Game 2 as the Lakers will play with their backs against the wall.
The yo-yo effect is real in the postseason. Teams that lose Game 1 at home generally bounce back in Game 2, as they are the side that will make adjustments and play harder. The Lakers will fly around on the perimeter better to run Minnesota's shooters off the line, forcing the likes of Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels to make plays off the dribble.
In Game 1, Minnesota made Doncic a scorer, holding him to one assist for the game. They wanted to take everything else away, which worked brilliantly as the Lakers only scored 95 points. Doncic, however, got his own, scoring 37 points on 12/22 shooting.
He will come out with the same mentality, especially against his nemesis, Rudy Gobert. This should make Doncic the leading scorer in the game. A strong Doncic performance and a better-prepared Lakers should result in evening the series.
Picks: Lakers -5.5 (-110) and Luka Doncic Over 30.5 Points (-118)
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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.