- LeBron, Luka and the Lakers welcome Minnesota for Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series Saturday night.
- The teams split four regular-season meetings. The Lakers are around a four-point favorite entering Game 1.
- Showtime is back in LA and I have a look at the best odds, pick and prediction for Game 1 between the three and six seeds out West.
Teams separated by only a game in the regular season meet Saturday night when the Lakers (45-35-2 ATS) host the Timberwolves (39-42-1 ATS) in Game 1 of their first round series.
It will be the fourth playoff meeting between the two franchises (if you count Play-In Tournament games). The Lakers have won each time. The two teams have split their last 10 contests.
I’m locked in on this series, which has great storylines and players and will give you the best odds, prediction and pick for how things will shake out. I’m not afraid to be bold.
Timberwolves vs Lakers Prediction
With all the stars in this one, it feels more like a Western Conference Finals match-up. The Wolves had the big breakthrough last year reaching the WCF, before getting bounced by Dallas. This season hasn’t been smooth. They traded away Karl-Anthony Towns, and it took a while for Julius Randle to fit in. Anthony Edwards has led the NBA in technical fouls and athleticism.
Minnesota, healthy and focused, was playing great basketball in the final month of the regular season going 17-4.
Of course, the Lakers had their own drama. Dallas decided to do the NBA a favor and send over Doncic for Anthony Davis and some prospects. Thanks Dallas! LA has gone 19-13 with Doncic.
James, now 40, averaged 24.4 points this season with almost eight rebounds.
This series feels like a long one. Minnesota has the edge inside (LA doesn’t have a true center), but LA can match the playmaking of Edwards with the shot-making of Doncic. Who wants it more?
Anthony Edwards vs Luka Doncic Stats
These teams feature two elite NBA players in Edwards and Doncic, and here’s how they’ve performed when they meet head-to-head.
Timberwolves at Lakers Odds
Odds courtesy of Bet365, find something good every day with our exclusive Bet365 promo code.
LA leads the all-time series 87-46. I’ve seen the spread at 4.5, but I’ve also have seen four points. You have to take the extra half-point when you can get it.
Yes, the two teams split four meetings, but at no point in any of the match-ups did the teams look like they do now. Doncic only played in one of the games, but Randle was out for that one.
LA is a much better team at home, 31-10 at Crypto.com Arena. Minnesota went 24-17 on the road.
Each of the last four meetings has hit the under, but I think I like the over tonight.
The best moneyline bet on the Lakers is -185 at DraftKings.
Timberwolves vs Lakers Pick
- Timberwolves +4.5 (-110 at Bet365)
- Over 216.5 (-110 at Bet365)
Both teams have had a few days of rest. LeBron James is dealing with a groin injury still, but was listed as probable. Yeah, he’s going to play, probably about 42 minutes.
This series is fascinating because of what the Lakers have with two of the best players in NBA history rolling around. What I’ve seen from Edwards this season though, is he loves a challenge. Minnesota got a little fat-headed in the off-season, but when they want to bring it, they do. Minnesota also sees Doncic as the enemy after he (and Dallas) eliminated the Wolves in the WCF last year.
If Edwards can keep relatively cool (the techs are a problem), he can dominate the game, and I like the Wolves’ advantage inside when it comes to rebounding and blocked shots. I’m going against the grain tonight and picking Minnesota.
The highly anticipated matchup between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their series has fans and analysts buzzing with excitement. Both teams have had strong seasons, with the Timberwolves finishing with a record of 48-34 and the Lakers finishing with a record of 45-37.
In terms of head-to-head matchups this season, the Timberwolves and Lakers split their regular season series 2-2, with each team winning one game at home and one on the road. This sets the stage for what promises to be a closely contested series.
Looking at the key players for each team, the Timberwolves are led by their dynamic duo of Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell. Towns, a dominant force in the paint, averaged 24.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game during the regular season, while Russell provided a scoring punch with 20.4 points per game. On the other side, the Lakers will rely heavily on LeBron James and Anthony Davis to carry them to victory. James, a future Hall of Famer, averaged 27.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game during the regular season, while Davis chipped in with 23.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
In terms of predictions for Game 1, it’s expected to be a close game with both teams trading blows throughout. The Timberwolves will look to establish their inside presence with Towns and force the Lakers to defend the paint, while the Lakers will rely on their perimeter shooting and playmaking ability to create scoring opportunities. Ultimately, it may come down to which team can execute their game plan more effectively and make key plays down the stretch.
As for the odds, sportsbooks have the Lakers as slight favorites to win Game 1, with odds of -120 compared to the Timberwolves’ odds of +110. This reflects the general consensus that the Lakers have a slight edge in terms of talent and experience, but it’s worth noting that anything can happen in the playoffs.
In conclusion, Game 1 between the Timberwolves and Lakers promises to be an exciting and closely contested matchup. With both teams boasting talented rosters and star players, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will come out on top. Fans can expect a high-intensity game with plenty of drama and excitement, making it a must-watch for basketball enthusiasts everywhere.
