Thursday’s NBA nightcap is a good one, as the Los Angeles Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The pregame narrative: Los Angeles has been rolling since acquiring Luka Doncic, while Minnesota is fighting to get out of the Western Conference play-in picture. I’m turning to one player from each team — Anthony Edwards and Jaxson Hayes — to clear their point totals.
Check out my Timberwolves vs. Lakers prop picks for Feb. 27.
Timberwolves vs. Lakers prop picks
Best bet: Edwards over 27.5 points (-130)
Edwards is listed as questionable with calf soreness per the NBA’s 11:30 a.m. injury report.
But I’m not worried about that. The Timberwolves begin a back-to-back tonight with a matchup against the Utah Jazz tomorrow, so all signs would point to Edward resting for Friday’s matchup instead.
And when the shooting guard is in the lineup, he’s been lights out. Check out his stats since the calendar turned to 2025:
- 31.0 points/game
- 22.2 FGA/game
- 28+ points in 17/25 games
- 30+ points in 13/25 games
Edwards is coming off a 17-point stinker against the Oklahoma City Thunder — who own the league’s best defensive rating — on Monday, but that was on the second leg of a back-to-back.
He scored 29 points against them the day prior and is averaging 28.0 PPG with two-plus days of rest this season.
Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert are out, and Donte DiVincenzo (toe) is questionable. Edwards should be taking the lion’s share of shots tonight.
Key stat: Edwards is averaging 33.5 points across his last eight games, clearing this line six times.
Quick pick
Hayes over 6.5 points (+100): Hayes has hit the jackpot, falling backwards into Los Angeles’ starting centre spot after Los Angeles’ trade for Mark Williams “fell through.”
The No. 8 overall pick from 2019 didn’t pan out with the New Orleans Pelicans, but his responsibilities on the Lakers are simple: Clean the glass and catch lobs from Doncic and LeBron James.
Hayes hasn’t attempted a single 3-pointer since moving into the starting lineup on Jan. 30. In that span, he’s 7-4 against this line while shooting 78.0% from the field.
Minnesota’s interior defence is elite but that’s largely thanks to Gobert. With him sidelined, I love Hayes’ chances of clearing this mark as his minutes stay steady.
Picks made at 11:46 a.m. ET on 02/27/2025.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.