Lakers vs Timberwolves Prediction 4/22/25 NBA Picks Today

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview

The Minnesota Timberwolves were quietly confident heading into the playoffs, and their confidence only grew after they ran past the Lakers in a dominant 117-95 road win in Game 1 on Saturday. Jaden McDaniels led the team with 25 points on 11 of 13 shooting, Naz Reid added 23 points off the bench while Anthony Edwards chipped in with 22 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.

As a team, the Timberwolves shot 51 percent from the field and a sizzling 21 of 42 from the 3-point line as they exploded for 38 points in the second quarter to turn an eight-point deficit into a 10-point halftime lead. Before, they clamped down defensively and held the Lakers to just 17 points in the fourth quarter to make it a blowout.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers will be hoping to salvage a split at home after getting thrashed by the Timberwolves in a bad defeat in Game 1. Luka Doncic came ready to play as he led the team with 37 points on 12 of 22 shooting, LeBron James added 19 points while Austin Reaves chipped in with 16 points, but no other player scored more than nine points.

As a team, the Lakers shot just 39 percent from the field and 15 of 41 from the 3-point line as they wasted a solid start and leaked 38 points in the second quarter to fall behind early. Before they got blown out in the second half as they got next to nothing from their role players. The bench combined for just 13 points, and Rui Hachimura looked hampered on his way to nine points in 30 minutes of action.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win

• The Lakers have won each of their last 11 Tuesday games as home favorites.
• The Timberwolves have lost five of their last six playoff games at Crypto.com Arena.
• The favorites have covered the spread in six of the last seven games between the Timberwolves and Lakers.
• The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five road games following a road win.

Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win

• The Timberwolves have won each of their last six playoff games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
• The Lakers have lost each of their last four playoff games as home favorites.
• The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last seven Western Conference First Round games.
• The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four playoff games as favorites.

Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts

• LeBron James ranks 1st amongst qualified Forwards for assists per game (8.2) this season.
• Luka Doncic is one of only four players to have recorded a 40+ point triple-double this season.

Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts

• Rudy Gobert ranks 1st in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (66.9%) this season.
• Anthony Edwards ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (4.1) this season.

Lakers vs Timberwolves Prediction

The Timberwolves are still slightly shorthanded with Rob Dillingham out again, while the Lakers are still missing Maxi Kleber. The series has only just begun, but the Lakers are already under serious pressure after getting embarrassed at home in Game 1. Doncic was the only player to really show up, and if he doesn’t get any help, the Lakers could be facing an early playoff exit.

The Timberwolves were clearly the better team on Saturday and I think the line should be shorter, but this pick is more about what is at stake. I just don’t think the Lakers will start slow in this one. This should be a closer contest, but I like the Lakers to get a much-needed win in their biggest game of the season.