Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction 4/30/25 NBA Picks

LA Lakers Betting Preview 

The LA Lakers need a win to force a game 6 on Friday. The Lakers have lost four of their last five games. The Lakers look to avoid three straight losses for the first time since March 20-24.

The LA Lakers are averaging 101.5 points on 44.3 percent shooting and allowing 108.5 points on 45.1 percent shooting. Luka Doncic is averaging 30.8 points and 7 rebounds, while LeBron James is averaging 26.3 points and 9.5 rebounds. Austin Reaves is the third double-digit scorer, and Rui Hachimura is grabbing 4.8 rebounds. The LA Lakers are shooting 36.3 percent from beyond the arc and 85.2 percent from the free-throw line. The LA Lakers are allowing 38.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 39.5 rebounds per game.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win

• The home team has won eight of the last nine playoff games between the Timberwolves and Lakers.
• The Timberwolves have lost six of their last seven playoff games at Crypto.com Arena.
• The home team has covered the spread in seven of the last eight games between the Timberwolves and Lakers.
• The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four games at Crypto.com Arena.

Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win

• The Lakers have lost four of their last five playoff games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents.
• The Timberwolves have won seven of their last eight playoff games against Pacific Division opponents.
• The Timberwolves have covered the spread in seven of their last eight Western Conference First Round games against Pacific Division opponents.
• The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games.

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 

Maxi Kleber is questionable for the Lakers with a foot injury. Kleber hasn’t played since January 25.

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

Minnesota Timberwolves vs LA Lakers Prediction

You would think Luka and LeBron can extend the series at home, but the value is with the points and the Timberwolves. I had the Timberwolves in this series before it started due to the depth advantage, the size and the defensive matchups. The Timberwolves have won six of the last nine games against the Lakers. The Lakers have lost four of their last five games and have scored less than 100 points in three of those games. The Timberwolves have a killer in Edwards who can finish this game if it’s tight late, and they’ve won 25 games on the road this season. A comfortable Lakers win wouldn’t be surprising, but I’ve been on the Timberwolves from the start and there’s no reason to stop now in the decent sized underdog spot.