Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction & Picks - NBA
USA - NBA
Prediction:
Timberwolves (+4.5) cover the spread
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by Paul Tamayo in NBA Picks
The Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Los Angeles Lakers for Game 1 of their 2025 first-round playoff matchup on April 19, Saturday, at the Crypto.com Arena.
It's the NBA playoffs, and there's no better way to start the festivities in Los Angeles. The Wolves and the Lakers split their regular season series. Their most recent matchup ended in a Lakers' 111-102 victory last February 27.
The Lakers enter the postseason ranking 12th in offensive rating (115.9) and 15th in defensive rating (114.7). Rui Hachimura and Maxi Kleber are the only names listed on the team's injury report, with Hachimura looking ready to go for Game 1 against the Wolves. If Hachimura returns, the Lakers are getting back their fourth-best scorer (13.1 points on 41.3% three-point shooting).
The Wolves aren't pushovers, either. They finished the regular season 8th in offensive rating (116.6) and 6th in defensive rating (111.5).
Moreover, they won eight of their last nine games, riding a good wave of momentum before the Lakers matchup. During that impressive span, the Wolves increased their offensive rating to an efficient 124.8. The Wolves also don't have anyone on their injury report, which bodes well for their postseason push.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Form
Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves Latest Matches
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Los Angeles Lakers against Minnesota Timberwolves : Head to Head (H2H)
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Players list
A. Reaves
ForwardL. James
R. Hachimura
A. Edwards
M. Conley
ForwardJ. McDaniels
Substitutes
G. Vincent
D. Knecht
S. Milton
J. Goodwin
B. James
ForwardM. Morris
J. Vanderbilt
D. Finney-Smith
D. DiVincenzo
T. Shannon Jr.
J. Clark
N. Alexander-Walker
ForwardJ. Minott
L. Miller
J. Ingles
Los Angeles Lakers - Minnesota Timberwolves Key Points
- The Timberwolves have won eight of their last nine games.
- The Timberwolves have a better offensive rating and defensive rating than the Lakers.
- In the last nine games, the Timberwolves improved their offensive rating from 116.6 to 124.8.
- In the last nine games, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards averaged 29.4 points on 63.8% True Shooting.
Our Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
This is such a close game to call between the Wolves and the Lakers. They split their regular season series and they don't have significant injuries to report heading into the playoffs. If anything, the Wolves are riding a better momentum and statistically, the better team in terms of offensive and defensive efficiency.
This is looking like a matchup for the ages and we could see close games between these two Western Conference contenders. Our prediction for the Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves match is: Timberwolves (+4.5) cover the spread.Prediction:
Timberwolves (+4.5) cover the spread
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All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
