Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves will be eager to book their ticket to the second round after outlasting the Lakers in a thrilling 116-113 home win in Game 4 on Sunday. Anthony Edwards led the team with 43 points, nine rebounds and six assists, Julius Randle added 25 points with seven rebounds and three assists while Jaden McDaniels chipped in with 16 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
As a team, the Timberwolves shot 42 percent from the field and 14 of 36 from the 3-point line as they wasted an early lead and looked to be in trouble when they trailed by 12 points in the third quarter. Before they clicked into gear on the defensive end and dominated the fourth quarter by 32-19 to run down the Lakers and take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Rudy Gobert had a quiet game of just five points on one of six shooting, while Mike Conley finished with just two points on one of five shooting.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers will be hoping for a better result after coming up painfully short to the Timberwolves in a demoralising loss in Game 4 on Sunday. Luka Doncic tried his best as he led the team with 38 points on 13 of 28 shooting, LeBron James added 27 points with 12 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and three blocks, Rui Hachimura tallied 23 points while Austin Reaves chipped in with 17 points.
As a team, the Lakers shot 45 percent from the field and 19 of 47 from the 3-point line as they opened the third quarter on a 14-0 run to seemingly take control of the contest. However, they went ice-cold and managed just 19 points in the fourth quarter to allow the Timberwolves off the hook in a disappointing finish. The Lakers got plenty of scoring from their starters but just six points from their bench, all of which were from Dorian Finney-Smith, who played 41 minutes.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The favorites have won 17 of the last 18 games between the Timberwolves and Lakers.
- The Timberwolves have lost each of their last five Game 5s of a playoff series.
- The favorites have covered the spread in nine of the last 10 games between the Timberwolves and Lakers.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four road games following a win.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Lakers have lost four of their last five playoff games as home favorites.
- The Timberwolves have won eight of their last nine games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 Western Conference First Round games.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games against Northwest Division opponents.
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 must be brimming with confidence after they took a commanding 3-1 series lead on Sunday, as they were able to call on their elite defense in the fourth quarter when it mattered most. The Lakers now find themselves on the brink of elimination after failing to hang onto a 12-point third quarter lead in Game 4. However, there is plenty of room for improvement, as they got just six points from their bench while Reaves was battling foul trouble all night. We should be in for another close contest, but in a must-win game, I have the Lakers getting the job done at home.