Lakers vs. Timberwolves predictions, picks, odds for 2025 NBA playoff series
Luka Doncic is set to face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA postseason yet again, but this time the Slovenian superstar will be on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Doncic is set to make his NBA playoff debut in purple and gold, one year removed from taking the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals. Dallas had to go through the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals to get there. Doncic averaged 32.4 points per game against the Timberwolves in the conference final series last year, in addition 9.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2.2 steals through five games. Will the Timberwolves be able to stop Doncic as a Laker?
Meanwhile, superstar LeBron James is set to make his 18th postseason appearance, having only missed the playoffs four times in his 22-year career.
Here is the schedule, predictions and current odds for the Lakers vs. Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs:
NBA PLAYOFF PICKS: Our predictions for every first-round series
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Lakers vs. Timberwolves: NBA playoffs picks and predictions
Paste BN: All four experts pick the Lakers
The Paste BN staff is in agreement. Here's the experts' picks for the Lakers vs. Timberwolves first-round series:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Lakers in seven
- Heather Tucker: Lakers in five
- James Williams: Lakers in five
- Jeff Zillgitt: Lakers in seven
NBA.com: Lakers in six
Shaun Powell writes: "(Los Angeles) has a glow in coach JJ Redick’s first season and hit another gear once Luka arrived. Suddenly, even the role players — (Rui) Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Dorian Finney-Smith, etc. — are upticking. Of course, success in the postseason will depend on stars, and the Lakers have more than Minnesota. LeBron, above all, still seems springy here in April. Edwards will need to be epic to make this series close."
Sports Illustrated: Lakers in seven
Ryan Stano writes: "Luka Doncic will be able to pull them to a victory in the final game thanks to a huge shooting performance. The Wolves weren't able to contain Doncic last year when he was with the Mavs. That won't change this year, but the Lakers' poor defense will keep the series close."
Lakers vs. Timberwolves: playoff odds
The Lakers are favored to defeat the Timberwolves in their first-round NBA playoff series, per BetMGM odds (as of Friday evening, April 18):
- Series winner: Lakers (-190), Timberwolves (+155)
- Game 1 Spread: Lakers (-4.5)
- Game 1 Moneyline: Lakers (-190); Timberwolves (+154)
- Game 1 Over/Under: 216.5
Watch NBA playoff games on Fubo (free trial)
Lakers vs. Timberwolves playoff schedule, time, TV channel, streaming
All times Eastern.
- Game 1: Timberwolves at Lakers | Saturday, April 19 | 8:30 p.m | ABC, Fubo
- Game 2: Timberwolves at Lakers | Tuesday, April 23 | 10:00 p.m | TNT, Sling TV
- Game 3: Lakers at Timberwolves | Friday, April 26 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo
- Game 4: Lakers at Timberwolves | Monday, April 28 | 3:30 p.m. | ABC, Fubo
- Game 5: Timberwolves at Lakers (if necessary) | Wednesday, April 30 | TBD
- Game 6: Lakers at Timberwolves (if necessary) | Friday, May 2 | TBD
- Game 7: Timberwolves at Lakers (if necessary) | Sunday, May 4 | TBD
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