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Betting Line:
Los Angeles Lakers (+1.5)
Minnesota Timberwolves (-1.5)
Over/Under 183
Game Time 7:05 EST

This Sunday features a few interesting matchups and some of those will be nationally televised, which I am sure will attract bettors to make a forced play. And as a result possibly have them lose their bet, because the proper research and analysis wasn’t done before they put themselves into action. But for me, I see more value and an opportunity to make money in this game between the visiting Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Value and making money are more important to me than watching a game on television; and it should be for you as well if you want to make money betting on basketball.

GAME ANALYSIS:
The Lakers (11-9) come into Minnesota this evening after traveling from Milwaukee last night, losing there matchup, outright, against the Bucks as a road favorite. One thing is for certain about the Lakers this season – they cannot buy wins or cover the point spread on the road. Thus far they have only come away with one victory out of eight tries, also notching one victory against the spread in the process. They need to figure something out fast, because seven of their next eight games are away from Staples Center. If the Lakers can rely on previous trends and stats, then their 3-0 record both in the won/loss column and against the spread versus Minnesota over the last three seasons should given them some sense of hope that they can collect just their second road victory of the season. If not, and the losing continues on the road, it will be a long season for the Lakers – especially since their roommates at Staples Center, the “Lob City” Los Angeles Clippers have proven to be a competitive foe.

The Timberwolves (9-10) come into this game riding a two game winning streak, beating the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs…handily I might add. Even though Minnesota is one game under the .500 mark, they are playing better as of late, winning six of their last nine games. When is comes to investing in the Timberwolves, they have pleased the bettors with a a stellar overall ATS record of 12-7. Confidence is certainly on the side of the Timberwolves, but will it be enough to come away with a win and a point spread cover?

WHO TO BET ON?
When you look at the board today and you see that the Lakers are playing the Timberwolves, your first reaction would probably be – the point spread will be too high in this game – figuring the Lakers are an eight or nine point road favorite, but of course that is not the case. These are two teams going in two different directions. The Lakers are old and look like a team in disarray and the Timberwolves have developed a young nucleus of talent, making for an exciting team to watch. With all that being said, I still believe the Lakers are a much better road team then their one win would indicate. Add to that fact, they are actually an underdog in this matchup and they still have a relentless Kobe Bryant on the floor and now you have a team with good value for a wager. I don’t see the Timberwolves winning this game. Better yet, I don’t see the Lakers losing. The Lakers on the money line should be an attractive bet here today as they will win this game outright.

Make your play on the Lakers money line to win this game outright!

SOME OTHER INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GAME:
~ The Lakers are 1-7 against the spread in their last 8 games.
~ The Timberwolves are 2-5 against the spread in its last 7 games at home.
~ The total has gone OVER in 4 of the Timberwolves last 5 games.

PREDICTION:
Lakers 93, Timberwolves 91

PJ Laferla is a practicing freelance writer, professional handicapper, and the founder of SportsInput.com. If you are interested in hiring PJ Laferla for freelance writing or for winning picks against the spread, please submit all inquires to PJ@sportsinput.com.

Betting Line:
Oklahoma City Thunder (-4.5)
Golden State Warriors (+4.5)
Over/Under 198
Game Time 10:35 EST

There are thirteen games slated in the NBA this Friday evening and I chose to feature the very last game on the board because that is where I am finding the most value. To be a successful bettor, one must have an enormous amount of patience and discipline. With twelve games being played prior to this matchup between the Thunder and Warriors, the most difficult thing to do as a bettors is watch all those games tip off without any action, only to wait for your play. It’s a tough thing to do, but it is required if you want to make money in this business.

GAME ANALYSIS:
The Thunder (15-3) come into Oakland, CA riding a five-game winning streak and also boasting the best the record in the league – clearly looking like the number one seed in the Western Conference. Holding the best record in the NBA means you are having success on the road and the Thunder are doing just that, with an NBA best 7-2 record when they play away from Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Thunder’s fast start has not been quite as dominant for the bettors. In fact they own a modest overall record of 10-8 against the spread, a 5-4 record as a road favorite against the spread and a winless 0-2 record as a road favorite between 3.5 to 6 points. These numbers define the reasons why you have to fully evaluate games and factor in all parameters before making a wager.

The Warriors (6-11) are team that is struggling to get wins, but playing OKC at home might be the perfect antidote. Golden State owns a 12-3 record in its last fifteen games at home when playing the Thunder. However, nothing else points to the positive for the Warriors. They have only managed one win in the Western Conference thus far, they have a losing overall against the spread record at 8-9 and as a home dog they only covered once all season. Furthermore, they play very little defense, giving up just about 99 points per game.

WHO TO BE ON?
A game like this is why the NBA is at times so unpredictable. This is a classic David and Goliath type matchup, but yet the Warriors have been dominate against the Thunder at home. Sometimes one team has another teams number regardless of how they are fairing against the rest of the league. Unfortunately for the Warriors, their success will run out tonight as the Thunder will easily cover this cheap 4.5 point spread.

Make your play on the Oklahoma City Thunder to cover the point spread!

SOME OTHER INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GAME:
~ Former Thunder player, Nate Robinson has averaged 11 points and five assists since signing with the Warriors on January 4th.
~ Over the last three seasons, the Warriors have covered five of seven games against the Thunder.
~ When these two teams meet OVER the total usually makes for a safe bet.

PREDICTION:
Thunder 109, Warriors 92

PJ Laferla is a practicing freelance writer, professional handicapper, and the founder of SportsInput.com. If you are interested in hiring PJ Laferla for freelance writing or for winning picks against the spread, please submit all inquires to PJ@sportsinput.com.