Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction 4/27/25 NBA Picks

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview 

The Los Angeles Lakers will be hoping to respond after coming up short to the Timberwolves in a 116-104 road defeat in Game 3 on Friday. LeBron James led the team with 38 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists on 13 of 21 shooting. Austin Reaves added 20 points with seven rebounds and four assists, while Luka Doncic chipped in with 17 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists. However, no other player scored more than eight points.

As a team, the Lakers shot 47 percent from the field and 17 of 40 from the 3-point line as they opened the second quarter on a 19-10 run to take the narrow lead into halftime. However, despite some late-game heroics from James, the Lakers scored just one point in the final 4:36 to allow the Timberwolves to slip away in a disappointing finish. Rui Hachimura scored just eight points, Gabe Vincent added just five points, while Jaxson Hayes scored just two points. 

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves must be feeling pretty good after they were able to reclaim the series lead with a gritty win at home in Game 3. Jaden McDaniels led the team with 30 points on 13 of 22 shooting, Anthony Edwards added 29 points with eight rebounds and eight assists while Julius Randle chipped in with 22 points, five rebounds and four assists.

As a team, the Timberwolves shot 48 percent from the field and 13 of 36 from the 3-point line as they wasted a quick start and allowed the Lakers to erase two early leads, before they clamped down defensively and finished the final 4:19 on a 13-1 run to pull away and win comfortably in the end. Mike Conley scored just nine points, while Rudy Gobert finished with just one point and one block in 25 minutes of action.

Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win

• The Timberwolves have won each of their last 13 games as home favorites against the Lakers.
• The Lakers have lost each of their last 10 playoff games as road underdogs against Northwest Division opponents.
• The favorites have covered the spread in eight of the last nine games between the Lakers and Timberwolves.
• The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five day games against Northwest Division opponents.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win

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

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.

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.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction

The Lakers were good enough to run down to deficits in Game 3 to give themselves a chance. But in the end, it was the Timberwolves’ effort on defense that proved to be the difference in a game they could’ve gone either way. The Lakers will obviously be disappointed with the defeat, but they will take some confidence from the fact that Doncic was hampered as he was dealing with a stomach bug, so he should be feeling better for this one. The Timberwolves hold all the momentum, and they won’t lose if McDaniels goes off for 40 points again. However, the Lakers are almost playing for their season in this game, so I will back James and Doncic to both have big games in this contest. 

Peter Tran's Pick: Minnesota -3.5