by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Apr 15, 2025
Game Time: 8:30 pm ET, Saturday, April 19, 2025
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Timberwolves +5, Lakers -5; Over/Under: 215.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Timberwolves +5, Lakers -5; Over/Under: 215.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Timberwolves +4.5, Lakers -4.5; Over/Under: 216.5 points
Season Record
Minnesota Timberwolves: 49-33 (3rd place, Northwest Division)
Los Angeles Lakers: 50-32 (1st place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Minnesota Timberwolves: 8-2 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers: 6-4 last 10
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Analysis
The Timberwolves are entering the playoffs with a 49-33 record overall this season and they were 24-17 in their road games where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 3 game winning streak with wins coming against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Utah Jazz. Anthony Edwards led the team in points in that game with 43 while Rudy Gobert was next on the team with 19 points. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Rudy Gobert led the team in rebounds with 18. They were 46.9% from the field, 30.2% from 3-point range, and 68.8% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 114.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 109.3 PPG against them. The Timberwolves have an ATS record of 39-42-1 this season and their O/U record is 44-38.
The Lakers are entering the playoffs with a 50-32 record overall this season and they were 31-10 in their home games where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Portland Trail Blazers. Dalton Knecht led the team in points in that game with 27 while Shake Milton was next on the team with 16 points. Markieff Morris and Bronny James each led the team in assists in that game with 6 while Dalton Knecht and Trey Jemison III each led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 38.8% from the field, 32.1% from 3-point range, and 71.4% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 113.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 112.2 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 45-35-2 this season and their O/U record is 41-41.
Timberwolves vs Lakers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lakers listed as a 5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 1 of a 7 game series between the 3rd seeded Lakers and the 6th seeded Timberwolves from the Western Conference for the 1st round of the NBA playoffs. The Lakers have looked really good in their games this season with their 50-32 record overall and they looked great on their home court with their 31-10 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves looked good in their games this season with their 49-33 record overall and they were also a good road team with their 24-17 road record. The Timberwolves have been the hotter team coming into the playoffs as they are 8-2 in their last 10 games and have a ton of momentum on their side with 3 wins in a row now. The Lakers are only 6-4 in their last 10 games and ended the regular season with a loss to the Trail Blazers, but they were also resting players in that game while the Timberwolves needed to play every game to finish the season due to seeding. The Lakers are going to be fresh for this series with the week off and that makes them a really dangerous team, especially on their home court. They beat the Timberwolves by 9 points at home in their last meeting back in February, and the Lakers will want to set the tone for this series at home. Doncic was also on the team that sent the Timberwolves home last season so they could be seeing some flashbacks in this game too. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lakers to cover the spread in this game.
Timberwolves Lakers Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Saturday, April 19, 2025 (8:30 pm ET start time) is Lakers 115 Timberwolves 105.
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NBA Betting Trends
Minnesota Timberwolves: 0-6 ATS off a home win against a division rival. 2-8 ATS on Saturday games. 34-25 UNDER revenging a road loss vs opponent. 46-29 1H UNDER as a road underdog. 13-6 1H UNDER off a home win against a division rival.
Los Angeles Lakers: 20-11 ATS as a home favorite. 7-4 ATS in the first round of the playoffs. 23-14 ATS at home versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game. 7-3 UNDER in the first round of the playoffs. 26-14 UNDER at home when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%).
Key Injuries
Minnesota Timberwolves: None.
Los Angeles Lakers: L. James (SF) Day To Day - Groin. R. Hachimura (PF) Day To Day - Knee. A. Reaves (SG) Day To Day - Ankle. D. Finney-Smith (PF) Day To Day - Ankle. L. Doncic (PG) Day To Day - Quad. M. Kleber (PF) Out - Foot.
Notable Quotes
"Told the guys (I'm) super proud of their body of work this year. We didn't make a big trade in the middle of the season to sort things out. We didn't fire coaches to try to sort things out. They sorted out themselves. Those guys made the right adjustments and sacrifices and figured out who they needed to be as a team. We still got a lot in front of us, but all credit to those guys in there because it mattered to them to figure it out, and they did." - Chris Finch on his team this season.
"It's a very difficult opponent. They've played as well as anyone lately, and I believe they're one of four teams in the top 10 in offense and defense. So, they present a lot of problems." - JJ Redick on his team’s playoff series against the Timberwolves.
Starting Lineups
Minnesota Timberwolves
PG Mike Conley
SG Anthony Edwards
SF Jaden McDaniels
PF Julius Randle
C Rudy Gobert
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Luka Doncic
SG Austin Reaves
SF Rui Hachimura
PF LeBron James
C Jaxson Hayes
Statistical Leaders
Minnesota Timberwolves
PPG: A. Edwards (27.6)
APG: J. Randle (4.7)
Reb/G: R. Gobert (10.9)
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: L. Dončić (28.2)
APG: L. James (8.2)
Reb/G: L. Dončić (8.2)
Coaches:
Minnesota Timberwolves: Chris Finch (5th season)
Los Angeles Lakers: JJ Redick (1st season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
