by Rod Pearson
Sunday, Apr 20, 2025
Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: TNT, MAX, truTV
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Timberwolves +5.5, Lakers -5.5; Over/Under: 215 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Timberwolves +5.5, Lakers -5.5; Over/Under: 215.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Timberwolves +5.5, Lakers -5.5; Over/Under: 215.5 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: 9-1 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 4 game winning streak with wins coming against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Brooklyn Nets, the Utah Jazz, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Jaden McDaniels led the team in points in that game with 25 while Naz Reid was next on the team with 23 points. Anthony Edwards led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Jaden McDaniels led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 51.2% from the field, 50% from 3-point range, and 80% 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 40-42-1 this season and their O/U record is 44-39.
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 on a 2 game losing streak with losses coming against the Portland Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Luka Dončić led the team in points in that game with 37 while LeBron James was next on the team with 19 points. LeBron James and Austin Reaves each led the team in assists in that game with 3 while Luka Dončić led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 39.8% from the field, 36.6% from 3-point range, and 87.5% 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 45-36-2 this season and their O/U record is 41-42.
Timberwolves vs Lakers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lakers listed as a 5.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 2 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 Timberwolves are leading this series 1-0 after game 1. The Timberwolves took a 1-0 series lead after beating the Lakers 117-95 on the road in game 1. The Timberwolves were a really up and down team for most of the season, but they have been gaining a lot of traction over the last 2 months and came into the playoffs playing really well. They took an early lead against the Lakers in game 1 and they never looked back as the Lakers weren't able to come back in the game. That was a bad night for the Lakers, but they will be looking to bounce back and tie the series here, especially since they have allowed the Timberwolves to flip the series. The Lakers have to win a game on the road to advance now, but they definitely can't afford to go down 2-0 in this series going into Minnesota so they are going to throw everything they have at the Timberwolves in this game to ensure they get out of it with the series tied. The Timberwolves were really good in the playoffs last season too, going all the way to the Western Conference Finals, but they were stopped by the Mavericks in that series and there is a familiar face for them on the Lakers now. Luka Doncic was on the team that stopped this Timberwolves team last season so he knows what needs to be done in this game and the talent is there to get the job done. LeBron James didn't have a big night in game 1, but he will be looking to have a much bigger impact in this game and that should be enough to tip the scales for this Lakers team. 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 Tuesday, April 22, 2025 (10:00 pm ET start time) is Lakers 124 Timberwolves 116.
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NBA Betting Trends
Minnesota Timberwolves: 32-22 ATS as a road underdog of 6 points or less. 7-3 ATS in the first round of the playoffs. 25-16 ATS on the road when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%). 20-13 UNDER after a blowout win by 20 points or more.
Los Angeles Lakers: 9-18 ATS when the total is 210 to 219.5. 0-4 1H ATS off a home blowout loss of 20 points or more. 18-24 1H ATS when playing with 2 days rest. 8-3 UNDER in the first round of the playoffs. 6-3 UNDER at home after scoring 100 points or less.
Key Injuries
Minnesota Timberwolves: R. Dillingham (PG) Day To Day - Ankle.
Los Angeles Lakers: M. Kleber (PF) Out - Foot.
Notable Quotes
“It means Game 1. We know it’s going to be a long series. We’re not under any assumption that it’s going to be this type of game in Game 2. It’ll be a completely different game. We got a lot left. A lot of meat on the bone out there. A lot of things. I know we can do better.” - Chris Finch after his team’s win against the LA Lakers in game 1 of this series.
“This Minnesota team, they’re going to be physical. That’s what they bring to the table. It took us one game ... (to) understand that. They took homecourt advantage from us tonight, but we have to control the controllables, and if we do that, we’ll have a much better chance to win than we did tonight.” - LeBron James after their loss against the Timberwolves in game 1 of this series.
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.
