Timberwolves vs. Lakers: The best player prop bets for Nov. 12

No LeBron James? No problem. The Lakers gritted out their second straight win on Wednesday night despite playing without the four-time MVP, who has been sidelined since Nov. 4 with an abdominal strain.

LA’s latest victory was a 120-117 overtime thriller against the Miami Heat that featured 33 lead changes. Malik Monk scored a season-high 27 points off the bench and Russell Westbrook recorded his 187th career triple-double as the Lakers improved their record to 7-5.

LA will try to make it three straight tonight when it hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center. The Wolves have lost six straight and are coming off a humbling 123-110 defeat to the Golden State Warriors in which they turned the ball over 17 times.

We’ve examined this matchup closely and have the three best player prop bets below.

Russell Westbrook to record a double-double

No player has benefitted more from LeBron’s absence than Russell Westbrook, whose usage percentage and counting stats have risen noticeably with the 17-time All-Star in street clothes. No one would argue the Lakers are a better team without James, but Westbrook definitely looks like a better player, as Vogel no longer has the veteran point guard setting screens and spotting up for open 3s. That freedom to simply "be himself" has allowed Westbrook to average close to a triple-double (19.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists) in the four games LeBron has missed.

Not only has Westbrook been flouring lately, but the former scoring champ has also performed extremely well against the Wolves historically. Westbrook has averaged 24.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 9.7 assists in 43 career games against Minnesota, and dropped 19 points, 14 boards, and 12 dimes the last time he faced Karl-Anthony Towns & Co. on Feb. 27, 2021.

Westbrook may not record another triple-double tonight, but bettors can feel confident he’ll cruise to a double-double as he continues to log heavy minutes against the woeful Wolves.

Pick: Yes (-400)

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Anthony Edwards Over/Under 24.5 points

Anthony Edwards had a night to remember on Wednesday, when he became the fifth youngest player in NBA history to score 45+ points in a game. His 48 points were a career-high, but they were also far from an anomaly, as the sophomore sensation has now scored 40 or more three times since joining the league in December 2020.

Will he erupt for 40 again tonight? Probably not, but Edwards has already scored 25 points or more in six of his 10 games this season, and will be facing a threadbare Lakers squad which is surrendering the third most points in the NBA. Expect him to have a field day against LA's creaky defenders.

Pick: Over 24.5 points (-113)

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Avery Bradley Over/Under 8. 5 points

Edwards wasn't the only one who showed out on Wednesday. Lakers guard Avery Bradley also finished with a season-high 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field and 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. His marksmanship was a key reason for LA's overtime win, and it marked the fourth time this year he's hit multiple 3s in a game.

It's highly unlikely Bradley will shoot the lights out again on Friday, but injuries to guards Rajon Rondo, Austin Reaves, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Kendrick Nunn ensure he'll have plenty of chances to stuff the stat sheet. Take the Over as the 30-year-old vet looks to cement his place in the Lakers' lineup.

Pick: Over 8.5 points (+100)