The Los Angeles Lakers of the Western Conference (50-32) will face the Minnesota Timberwolves, sixth seeded (49-33) in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The two franchises have not met in the playoffs since a conference final in 2004 with Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett.
What we know of the Lakers
Oh, my boy. Wait for hearing this one.
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The Lakers, with a 40 -year -old LeBron James and Anthony Davis, was injured by the OFT, wrapped each other. Their file said they were decent, although their net rating made other complaints. Since he won a title in 2020, they had exceeded the final of the Western 2023 conference. They missed the playoffs entirely in 2022 and lost in the first round last season. They were linked to nowhere but another release in the playoffs.
Enter the Dallas Mavericks, who made their 25 -year -old superstar available to Lakers at half the price. The jumped on the occasion of being a beneficiary of undoubtedly The stupcest trade in the history of the NBAAcquire Luka Dončić for Davis, Max Christie and a single choice of draft in the first round. In an instant, the Lakers had improved their chances for the next decade, although questions remained on the calendar for James and Dončić.
Their window to win together can be this season and this season only. Finally, this list will be fully returned to Dončić, and It can be wiser to do it earlier than late. As these are Lakers are an inherently built outfit around Dončić and James, which is a sacred starting point. They have Austin Reaves, and the three form the basis of an offense that can create almost anything.
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There is Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent and a collection of increasingly reliable options beyond the talented trio of the Lakers. They don't have a reliable center, and there are holes everywhere in defense, but they donated, and with that they have a chance. Now and forever. Thank you, Dallas.
What we know of Timberwolves
It was also a strange season for the Timberwolves. The finalists in defense of the Western Conference have trade in pre-season, exchanging cities of Karl-Anthony for Julius Randle and Donte Divincenzo of the New York Knicks in what can only be described as a cost reduction decision. Basketball was secondary.
And Minnesota played like this during the first months of the season, winning a record of 0,500 in January. Jaden McDaniels did not take another step forward like a development wing. Rudy Gobert may have taken a step back as a defensive anchor. And Randle played like Randle, flickering between brilliance and weightie. He made a slog of an offense and a defense that did not correspond to last year.
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But Anthony Edwards was mainly brilliant throughout the season, with the exception of the double teams that caused him problems. He scored a career summit of 27.6 points per match on better career efficiency (59.5 TS%), adding 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 aids per night as the best soil player. The 23 -year -old has played well enough for a long time to have given the rest of the team to settle for the line behind him. And that the wolves have done.
Only Oklahoma City Thunder has a better record in the West than Timberwolves (17-4) since March 1. In this period, Minnesota has the second infraction of the NBA (121.9 points per 100 possessions) and the defense of seventh appointment (110.7 points authorized for 100 possessions). Divincenzo, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker give them a depth that other teams do not have, and, as long as Randle can exploit all this power, the rest of the list is also logical. It took time, but they found their way at 49 victories.
Tête-à-tête
The Lakers and Timberwolves equaled their regular season series, 2-2.
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Davis and Angelo Russell, whom the Lakers exchanged for Finney-Smith in December, played major roles during the first three meetings, when the Wolves won their two victories. Minnesota lost its only meeting against Dončić in Los Angeles, although the Slovenian superstar did not particularly well play (21 points on 20 shots).
While James scored 33 points at this last meeting, he was lived from his other confrontations with Minnesota (he missed a match for an injury). Edwards was not great either against Lakers this season. He has an average of 19 points out of 40% shooting during the four meetings. If we think that the stars of this series will appear in the playoffs, we should take the four games of these four teams this season with a large dose of salt.
Match to watch
Can Lakers slow down Anthony Edwards? (Photo by Jevone Moore / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Anthony Edwards against the Low Lakers Link
It could be Dončić, who was attacked tirelessly in the NBA final last season. It could be realities. It could be James, who at 40 is not the defensive pillar that he was in the past. The one Edwards decides is the weakest link in Los Angeles's defense, he will constantly attack, and he will not lack sweet targets.
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Conversely, if the Lakers can bottle Edwards, prepare for a heavy hike, and this is not a recipe for the success of the playoffs. Edwards will go out from Finney-Smith and in more advantageous pick-And-Roll matches, where he withdrew 1.02 points per possession. Is it enough to counter the fire power of Dončić, James and Reaves? It will depend on the weakness of the weakest link in the Lakers and if Edwards may or may not be as successful as the offensive trio of the Lakers will be against a stronger defense.
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Los Angeles Lakers
We know with certainty that Dončić, James, Reaves and Finney-Smith will be on the ground to close the games for the Lakers. Fifth place is to be won. Jaxson Hayes provides size. Hachimura is versatile. Vincent has experience in playoffs. Jarred Vanderbilt can defend. Lakers' head coach, JJ Redick, will have options, even if no one is the ideal agreement. The range of Lakers that has experienced the most success after the stars break: Dončić, James, Reaves, Finney-Smith and Hachimura (+15.3 points for 100 possessions in 100 minutes together).
Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves' head coach Chris Finch also has options around Edwards and McDaniels on the wings. Reid should inevitably man the central position once Gobert is played with the ground in times of crisis. This leaves two places for Randle, Divincenzo, Alexander-Walker and Conley. Finch would it have the courage – or the size or offensive creation required – for hiking bench for large minutes? This may be a necessary decision.
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Prediction: Lakers in seven
Dončić owned the Timberwolves as a member of the Mavericks in the Western Conference last season, and now he had James by his side. Together, they can resolve the defense of Minnesota. Barely.
Cots of Paris
(Via betmgm))
Los Angeles Lakers (-200)
Minnesota Timberwolves (+165)
Series schedule (all time is)
Game 1: Sam., April 19 @ los Angeles (8:30 p.m., ABC)
Game 2: Mar., April 22 @ los Angeles (10 p.m., TNT)
Game 3: Fri, April 25 @ minnesota (9:30 p.m. ESPN)
Game 4: Sun, April 27 @ minnesota (3.30 p.m., ABC)
* Game 5: Sea., April 30 @ los Angeles (TBD)
* Game 6: Fri, May 2 @ minnesota (TBD)
* Game 7: Sun, May 4 @ los Angeles (TBD)
* If necessary
