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

**DanielMoore** · 04-26-25, 03:04 AM

Originally posted by SBR Andy

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."

For Game 2 of the Timberwolves vs. Lakers, Shane Jackson from SBR offers these predictions:

Over 211 (-110 DraftKings)
Jackson believes the Lakers will bounce back, especially offensively, with LeBron James and Austin Reaves playing more active roles. While the Timberwolves may not replicate their 21 three-pointers from Game 1, Jackson notes the Lakers' struggles to slow down Anthony Edwards.
Anthony Edwards Over 4.5 Assists (-140 DraftKings)
Edwards showed improvement from last year's postseason struggles, contributing 22 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds in Game 1. With the Lakers likely sending more defensive help his way, Edwards' ability to make the right plays and reads stands out, making him a good bet to hit the 5+ assists mark.

**SBR Andy** · 04-28-25, 09:38 AM

The Timberwolves steal Game 4 to go up 3-1 in the series.

Updated series odds from DraftKings: Timberwolves -500 / Lakers +350

**SBR Andy** · 2025-04-30T14:31:23+00:00

Timberwolves vs Lakers Game 5 prediction from SBR's Rob Paul:

Under 209.5 (-105 Caesars)

"Despite entering the playoffs among the NBA championship odds favorites, the Lakers have looked discombobulated through the first four games of the first round.

Los Angeles couldn't contain Anthony Edwards in the second half of Game 4, ultimately blowing a lead and being one loss away from Luka Doncic spending the next month sipping beers instead of making Nico Harrison look even sillier than he already does for trading the star.

As the NBA playoffs got started, we highlighted why the Lakers are a bad bet to win it all as part of our NBA championship odds breakdown, pointing to the team's lack of continuity and the fact that JJ Redick is in his first season as bench boss.

Those issues have come to light in the opening round, with L.A. averaging just 101.5 PPG in the series and seeing the team's field goal percentage drop from 47.9% in the regular season to 44.3% against the Timberwolves.

That's a credit to Chris Finch's defense, which ranked sixth in rating (111.5) and fifth in points allowed per game (109.3) in the regular season. With the Wolves being top 10 in field goal percentage allowed (46%), 3-point percentage allowed (35.3%), and made free throws allowed (15.7), Redick has struggled to get consistency out of his non-star players.

Minnesota's defense has the tools to continue slowing the Lakers to keep this total Under, with four players ranked in the top 25 in defensive win shares. While Los Angeles has been inconsistent on the defensive end throughout the year, the Lakers are 23-20 betting the Under at home, including in the opening two games of the series.

While Edwards is coming off a 43-point showing, Minnesota failed to crack 90 points the last time it was on the road in this series and is averaging just 108.5 PPG against the Lakers in the first round. The Lakers and Timberwolves have already combined to hit the Under in six of eight total matchups this season."

**SBR Andy** · 2025-04-30T14:41:13+00:00

Timberwolves vs Lakers Game 5 player prop picks from SBR's Shane Jackson:

LeBron James Over 9.5 rebounds (-120 DraftKings)

"Betting on LeBron James is the best way to approach Game 5, particularly with the market expecting the Lakers to win by two possessions. James will go down swinging in what could - heavy emphasis on could - be his final NBA game.

James has recorded double-digit rebounds in three straight games, averaging 9.5 for the series. He grabbed 12 in Sunday’s Game 5. James has to control the glass with the Lakers using a small-ball approach.

This line is as high as -145 in the market, illustrating the discount at DraftKings."

Naz Reid Over 10.5 points (-130 BetMGM)

"The market has caught on that Minnesota center Rudy Gobert isn’t effective in this series. In Game 3, Gobert’s rebounds and assists combo line was 20.5. It is now 9.5 entering Wednesday’s Game 5.

While the value in fading Gobert is gone, believing in his backup is the way to go. Reid has averaged 13.8 points in 24.8 minutes per game in this series, which is why his scoring prop is trading at 11.5 at most of our best sports betting apps."

Austin Reaves Under 18.5 points (+100 DraftKings)

"Austin Reaves may only have one or two more games left in a Lakers uniform, as he could be traded for a center this offseason. This matchup has highlighted some of his weaknesses, which matters since his contract won’t be as favorable in another year.

Reaves is averaging 17.3 points per game on 42.4% shooting this series. He’s been overwhelmed by Minnesota’s length and athleticism. This would be a four-star pick by taking Fanatics’ scoring prop (19.5), but the +100 value on this Under at DraftKings is also playable."