Bettors can’t afford to ignore Timberwolves

In the NBA, once a franchise gets off to a slow start and the losses mount, casual bettors often write off that team for the rest of the season.

But that’s not always a smart thing to do.

For example, take the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves, who sit in last place in the Northwest Division with a 10-37 record.

Although the Timberwolves have won the fewest games in the Western Conference, they have been a good pick against the point spread in recent weeks.

With Sebastian Telfair stepping up at point guard and Al Jefferson emerging as a legitimate inside force, Minnesota has covered the line in seven of its last nine games and has a respectable 22-25 record against the spread for the season.

It’s no secret that a key to the Timberwolves’ success with bettors has been inflated point spreads. Since Jan. 6, Minnesota has been an underdog of seven points or more nine times, including six in double-figures.

On Friday, the Timberwolves are expected to be big underdogs again when they play host to the Boston Celtics, who have the league’s best record.

Despite having two key players sidelined because of injuries, Cleveland is another NBA team on a roll, going 7-3 against the spread in its last 10 games and 5-1 against the spread in its last six road games.

But the Cavaliers -- playing without Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao until at least the All-Star break -- will be tested tonight at Houston.

With Tracy McGrady back in the lineup after being out because of an elbow injury, the Rockets have won four games in a row and eight of their last nine.

Houston is also 6-1 against the spread in its last seven games against a team with a winning record and 7-2 against the spread in its last nine games against an Eastern Conference opponent.

College basketball

With the Pacific 10 Conference season heading into the homestretch, four big games will be played tonight, highlighted by league-leader UCLA’s matchup at Washington State.

The Bruins (20-2 overall, 8-1 in the Pac-10) are 4-0 against the spread in their last four games and 5-0 against the spread in their last five games in Pullman, Wash.

Supporters of the Cougars (17-4, 5-4) also should be aware that they are 1-6 against the spread in their last seven home games and 0-6 against the spread in their last six games against a team with a winning percentage above .600.

Here are a few more Pac-10 betting trends for tonight: USC (14-7, 5-4) will play at Washington (12-10, 3-6) and the Trojans are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games and 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games against a team with a winning home record.

Stanford (18-3, 7-2) will play host to Oregon (13-8, 4-5) and the under is 9-1 in the last 10 home games for the Cardinal; Oregon State (6-15, 0-9) will play at California (13-7, 4-5) and the Bears are 0-4 against the spread in their last four games.

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lonnie.white@latimes.com