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In times like this, I often turn to Lizzo to express my feelings.
The NBA is officially back! And the Association kicks off its 2024-25 season on Tuesday night.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers cap the evening at Crypto.com Arena.
The pick — Lakers-Timberwolves UNDER 219.5 total points (-115, BetMGM)
What do we even know about these two teams?
The Timberwolves have a new cast of characters after bringing in Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. The Lakers have a new head coach in JJ Redick, and LeBron James enters his 22nd NBA season while playing with his son Bronny.
There’s so much newness in this game that I’m leaning into the uncertainty of it all to hit the under.
Minnesota was one of the best defensive teams in the league last season, ranking third in defensive rating after the All-Star break. Now, after trading Karl-Anthony Towns for Randle and DiVincenzo, the Wolves’ defensive ability should be heightened even more with Defensive Player of the Year behemoth Rudy Gobert.
In a game featuring Gobert and three-time All-Defensive first-team selection Anthony Davis, plenty of shots will be missed at the rim. And it’s not like the 3-point shot is going to hurt. Both teams ranked in the bottom 10 for 3-pointers attempted in 2023-24.
The Timberwolves and Lakers will need some time to jell — whether between players, or between players and a new coach — and with the strong defensive presence, there’s a good chance the game will be in the low 200s.