Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction 4/22/25 NBA Picks

LA Lakers Betting Preview 

The LA Lakers are in must-win territory after disappointingly dropping game 1. The Lakers have split their last eight games and have lost eight times since March 8. 

The LA Lakers are averaging 95 points on 39.8 percent shooting and allowing 117 points on 51.2 percent shooting. Luka Doncic is averaging 37 points and 8 rebounds, while LeBron James is averaging 19 points and 5 rebounds. Austin Reaves is the third double-digit scorer, and Rui Hachimura is grabbing 5 rebounds. The LA Lakers are shooting 36.6 percent from beyond the arc and 87.5 percent from the free-throw line. The LA Lakers are allowing 50 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 38 rebounds per game.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win

• The favorites have won 14 of the last 15 games between the Timberwolves and Lakers.
• The Timberwolves have lost three of their last four Game 2s of a Western Conference First Round series.
• The Lakers have covered the spread in six of their last seven games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
• The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three games as underdogs after winning as underdogs.

Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win

• The Timberwolves have won each of their last six playoff games as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
• The Lakers have lost each of their last four playoff games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents.
• The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last seven playoff games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
• The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four playoff games as home favorites.

Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts

• Austin Reaves ranks 19th amongst qualified players for FT% (87.7%) this season.
• Rui Hachimura ranks 23rd amongst qualified players for 3P% (41.3%) this season.

Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts

• Mike Conley ranks 5th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (4.3) this season.
• Jaden McDaniels rank T8th in the league for total steals + blocks (184) this season.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs LA Lakers Injury Report 

The Timberwolves will be without Rob Dillingham due to an ankle injury.

The Lakers will continue to be without Maxi Kleber due to foot injury.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs LA Lakers Prediction

A lot of people are going to be on the Lakers because there’s no way Luka and LeBron go down 0-2 at home. Right? There’s also no way the Timberwolves shoot the ball the way they did in the first contest. Like game 1, I want the points with the Timberwolves. While the Lakers have the star power, the Timberwolves are the deeper team that has a size and defensive advantage. The Timberwolves have played their best ball over the last month and they have won six of the last nine games against the Lakers.

I had the Timberwolves winning this series from the start as it feels like a bad matchup. The Lakers lack true size, and they’re going up against Gobert, Ried, and Randle. Not to mention McDaniels can make life hell, and Edwards is a killer who lives for the big stage. As great as Luka and LeBron are, I question if the rest of the guys are enough. Give me the points.