The Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33) will visit the Los Angeles Lakers (50-32) for Game 1 of their first round NBA Playoff series tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The game will broadcast live on ABC.
The Lakers are 4.5-point favorites over the Timberwolves on the spread (Lakers -4.5), with the over/under set at 216 total points. Los Angeles is a -200 favorite to win outright, while Minnesota is +165 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Timberwolves vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, April 19.
Timberwolves vs Lakers Prediction, Picks
My Lakers vs. Timberwolves best bet is on Minnesota to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at BetMGM. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Timberwolves +4.5 (-110)
Timberwolves vs Lakers Odds, Spread, Total
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 216 -110o / -110u | +165 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 216 -110o / -110u | -200 |
- Timberwolves vs. Lakers spread: Lakers -4.5
- Timberwolves vs. Lakers over/under: 216 total points
- Timberwolves vs. Lakers moneyline: Timberwolves +165, Lakers -200
- Timberwolves vs. Lakers best bet:Timberwolves +4.5 (-110)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Game 1 Preview
The question all week is how similar the Lakers are to last year’s Mavericks, and how different are this year’s Timberwolves?
I continue to believe they are not really all that different in either case. Yes, the Mavericks had better lob threats in Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively. That’s compensated for by the superior perimeter weapons for LA in Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Rui Hachimura.
The Timberwolves will try and hunt Luka Doncic on switches. The problem is that the Lakers’ help scheme is among the best in the league. They will blitz Anthony Edwards consistently and challenge Jaden McDaniels to beat them offensively. That’s not a factor I’m willing to bet on, though it’s not out of the question.
Defensively, the Wolves have some problems. They are still a defense-first team and their principles are built on not having to send help, but Doncic breaks all that with his strength against McDaniels, Edwards, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
I think the Lakers win this series, but the Wolves do have the ability to play bigger more consistently and the Lakers’ small-ball lineup of death may not work against a team that has seen smaller units consistently and beaten them bloody.
This is too many points. I make this spread Lakers -2.5. I don’t love this play. It’ll be a smaller one, but I’m in on Wolves +4.
Timberwolves vs Lakers Best Bets
Austin Reaves Over 24.5 Points + Assists (-115)
Austin Reaves is dangerous because he can shoot, drive, pass, and draw fouls.
If the Timberwolves double-team Luka Doncic, Reaves is the pressure release valve, because you can’t leave LeBron James alone and the other players will be too deep in the set to double.
So, Reaves will have chances to shape the game with both his scoring and passing.
LeBron James & Anthony Edwards to Both Record 6+ Assists (+170)
James will operate as a connector and playmaker in most sets against this defense, especially in transition.
Edwards will get blitzed consistently by the Lakers in order to dare him to make plays for others.
Timberwolves vs Lakers Betting Predictions
- Timberwolves +4.5 (-110)
- LeBron James / Anthony Edwards 6+ Assists (+170)
Timberwolves vs Lakers Parlay Picks
- Timberwolves Moneyline
- Austin Reaves Over 24.5 Points + Assists
- Jaden McDaniels 2+ Three-Pointers Made
Parlay Payout: +1100
Timberwolves vs Lakers Betting Trends
- 74% of bets and 73% of the money are on the Lakers to cover the spread
- 87% of bets and 89% of the money on the moneyline are on the Lakers to win outright
- 90% of bets and 90% of the money are on the over
Betting trends via our live, updating NBA public betting & money percentages page.
