Timberwolves vs Lakers Predictions

**SBR Andy** · 04-18-25, 10:23 AM

Timberwolves vs Lakers Game 1 prediction from SBR's Phil Wood:

Lakers -4 (-110 bet365)

"The Timberwolves winning this game and this series wouldn’t surprise me at all. However, they struggled against the Lakers on the road, losing both games by at least seven points. Offensively, the Timberwolves haven’t scored more than 109 against the Lakers, and they were held to 103 or less in three of the four games.

The Lakers have been incredible at home this season, as they finished the regular season with a 36-16 mark. That was second-best in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves were road warriors, finishing 24-17 away from home, but the Lakers have such a clear home-court advantage, especially with the postseason underway, that backing them to cover this small spread is the right move."

Under 216.5 (-110 BetMGM)

"This could very well end up being the best play of the first day of the NBA playoffs. These two teams are averaging less than 200 points per game when they play each other, and they’ve never had a game go Over 213 points this season.

Our best NBA betting sites seem reluctant to set this number too low, but the public is making it easy on them, as 60% of wagers are backing the Over despite these two teams being defensive-minded. Sportsbooks haven’t raised the total despite the overwhelming support for the Over, and I doubt they will. In fact, they’ll probably lower it, as bettors fall into a trap that was never meant to be one."

**BigDaniil** · 04-18-25, 11:46 AM

Taking Minnesota game 3 *for a lot* of money, almost regardless of the first 2 games

**SBR Andy** · 04-20-25, 10:46 AM

The Timberwolves take Game 1 on the road 117-95.

Updated series odds at DraftKings: Timberwolves -150 / Lakers 125

**SBR Andy** · 04-22-25, 12:30 PM

Timberwolves vs Lakers Game 2 prediction from SBR's Shane Jackson:

Over 211 (-110 DraftKings)

"No one other than Luka Doncic (game-high 37 points) showed up for the Lakers in Saturday’s Game 1. They approached that matchup like a regular-season game, failing to match the Timberwolves’ physicality.

I expect the Lakers to respond on Tuesday, particularly on the offensive end. LeBron James (19 points) and Austin Reaves (16) need to be more involved. That trio did a great job of playing off each other during the regular season.

At the same time, I’m not convinced the Lakers have an answer for slowing down the Timberwolves’ offense. Minnesota likely won’t make 21 of their 3-pointers again, but Los Angeles has nobody who can stay in front of Anthony Edwards."

No one other than Luka Doncic (game-high 37 points) showed up for the Lakers in Saturday’s Game 1. They approached that matchup like a regular-season game, failing to match the Timberwolves’ physicality.

I expect the Lakers to respond on Tuesday, particularly on the offensive end. LeBron James (19 points) and Austin Reaves (16) need to be more involved. That trio did a great job of playing off each other during the regular season.

At the same time, I’m not convinced the Lakers have an answer for slowing down the Timberwolves’ offense. Minnesota likely won’t make 21 of their 3-pointers again, but Los Angeles has nobody who can stay in front of Anthony Edwards."

Anthony Edwards Over 4.5 assists (-140 DraftKings)

"If you watched “Starting Five” on Netflix in the offseason, you know Edwards was frustrated with how teams defended him last postseason. Opposing teams didn’t make it easy for him, taking the ball out of his hands more often than he would have liked.

If Saturday was any indication, Edwards has learned from last year’s playoff appearance. He finished with 22 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds in the win.

The nine assists stood out to me, especially with the Lakers motivated to send help defenders at him. He made the right reads and must continue to do so for the Wolves to advance past Round 1.

I like his chances of achieving this, especially since FanDuel has Edwards’ assist prop set at 5.5."

**SBR Andy** · 04-23-25, 08:14 AM

Lakers bounce back in Game 2, winning 94-85 to even the series at 1-1.

Updated series odds via DraftKings: Lakers -115 / Timberwolves -105