Minnesota Timberwolves vs LA Clippers 12/29/2020 NBA Odds, Preview and Prediction

The Minnesota Timberwolves look to continue their good start as they head to the City of Angels to take on the L.A. Clippers at the Staples Center.

The Wolves won their first two games of the season before bowing to the King and his Lakers on Sunday. Minnesota however, played without Karl Anthony towns who is out indefinitely with a dislocated wrist. The Clippers also saw their two-game winning streak end, historically in the worst loss in franchise history. The Clippers were annihilated by 51 points against the Dallas Mavericks last weekend. The team played minus Kawhi Leonard who needed 8-stitches on his face after a freak accident.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves are off to a decent start this season. After winning their first two games, the Wolves were limited to 91 points in a 36-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Minnesota shot only 17.1% from deep in that game and they need to shoot the rock better if they want to stay above .500.

Karl Anthony Towns is off to a good start at 19.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game but he is out indefinitely with a wrist injury. Without KAT, the Wolves will have to go to D’Angelo Russell who is averaging 15.7 points and 4.3 assists per game. Rookie Anthony Edwards is contributing 16.0 points per game while Malik Beasly is off to 16.3 points per game start.

Minnesota is scoring an average of 105 points per game while shooting 39.5% from the field, 76.7% from the foul line, and only 29.8% from three balls. They are pulling down an average of 45.3 rebounds per game while allowing opponents to score 113 points per game at a 47.3% shooting clip.

What are the Moneyline Odds?

Timberwolves

+330

Clippers

+450

Odds from BetOnline as of 12/29/2020

LA Clippers

The L.A. Clippers were off to a fantastic start. They beat the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers on opening night and then dominated the Western Conference finalists Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day. But after missing Kawhi Leonard on Sunday due to facial injuries, the Clippers suffered a humiliating 51-point defeat at the hands of Luka Doncic and his Mavericks.

Kawhi Leonard is off to a great start at 23.5 points and 5.0 assists per game. However, he missed the last game after receiving 8 stitches due to a facial injury suffered in the Denver game. Paul George is having a great week as well at 23.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Serge Ibaka is contributing 14.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest while Ivica Zubac is adding 11.0 points per game for the Clippers.

Los Angeles is next to last in scoring at only 103.3 points per game scored this season. They are tied for 18th in scoring defense at 113.7 points per game allowed. The Clippers are also dead last in rebounding at only 38.0 boards grabbed per contest. Los Angeles is also averaging 22.3 assists per game this season.

Who Wins?

Minnesota is 6-14 SU in their last 20 games played. The Timberwolves are 3-12 SU in their last 15 games played on the road. The Clippers are 2-4 SU in their last six games played. L.A. is 12-6 SU in their last 18 December games and 13-3 SU in their last 16 Tuesday games. Head to head, these teams have split their last 10 meetings but the Clippers have won three out of their last four encounters. 

The Wolves still have some scorers in D’Angelo Russell and rookie top pick Anthony Edwards. However, the Wolves’ offense is struggling and they are shooting just 29.8% from deep.

The Clippers are coming off their worst loss ever. The Clippers trailed the Mavs by the biggest margin ever in the history of the NBA and finished with a disappointing 51-point loss. Paul George had a bad game but if you look at his first two games, George may be correct that playing on Christmas put them in a terrible spot on Sunday.

Los Angeles is one of the betting favorites to win the title this season. Even without Leonard, they are a solid team led by George. The Clippers played well in their first two games and I expect them to bounce back with a resounding win here. The Wolves are fun to watch but the expectation is for the Clippers to win decisively after a humiliating loss last weekend.

Prediction: L.A. Clippers

Other Bets To Make

The Timberwolves are 2-1 ATS in their first three games of the season and 1-1 ATS in two road games played so far. Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in their last five games against the Pacific Division. The Clippers are 3-6 ATS in their last nine games played. Los Angeles is 2-5 ATS in their last seven games against the Northwest division. Head to head, the Wolves are 8-4 in their last 12 games played against the Clippers. Minnesota is also 5-2 in their last seven games played at Staples Center.

What are the Spread Odds?

Timberwolves

+8 (-110)

Clippers

-8 (-110)

Odds from BetOnline as of 12/29/2020

Both teams have the same record and both teams will be without their best players. However, the Clippers are a much deeper team and they also have one more superstar in Paul George. George is coming off a poor outing against Dallas and he should bounce back with a vengeance. The Clippers have yet to win at Staples this season so even without fans, look for them to get it against this depleted Minnesota team.

Prediction: L.A. Clippers -8

The total has gone under in each of the last five games played by the Timberwolves. Minnesota has seen the total go under in nine out of their last 10 December games. The under is also 5-1 in their last six games against the Western Conference. The total has gone under in eight out of the last 11 games played by the Clippers. L.A. has seen the total go under in four out of their last five home games. The under is also 8-3 in their last 11 games against the Western Conference. Head to head, the total has gone over in eight out of the last 10 meetings between these two teams.

Both teams played without their best players the last time out. The Wolves are missing Karl Anthony Towns while the Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard. As a result, they are coming off poor offensive outings. The Clippers scored only 73 points against Dallas while the Wolves put up just 91 points on Sunday. With KAT and Klaw still out for this game, I expect another low scoring outing from both teams. The Clippers should bounce back and score better but the Wolves will struggle to help them get over the total without Towns.

Prediction: Under 229

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