2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West First Round: #3 LA Lakers vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves (Series tied 1-1)

[tamaraw08]

Hilarious that anyone is picking the Lakers at all.

No serious team gets blown out by 30 on their home floor if they’re actually going to win a series. No one. They looked as if they had zero advantages whatsoever.

I would place a huge amount of money on Wolves odds for the game, the series, and the series under 5.5 games.

I'm not sure if you are aware about the Memorial Day Massacre in 1985.

Memorial Day Massacre’
Facing the Lakers in the finals for the second straight season, the Celtics rolled to a 148-114 win in Game 1 on May 27, 1985.

Guess what team won it all?
https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1985-nba-finals-lakers-vs-celtics.html

[Beethoven]

Battered, beaten, and ankles almost broken. I cant seem to fathom how Lakers will win another three games against this team.

Wishing the best.

[Beethoven]

Lakers win game 3 in a tight nail biter
Wolves win game 4 in a blowout
Lakers win game 5 in a blowout
Lakers win game 6 in a nail biter, Luka goes for 55.

I ENDORSE THIS

[Bob8]

My focus wasn't about the steal but about his desperation to just show up Gobert. I get it, it's guaranteed highlight material. But I think he lost focus after that. And it wasn't just me who felt that way. Simmons / Lowe mentioned it. THC mentioned it. He spent all his time trying to hunt Gobert - who BTW held LAL to 5-17.

Or maybe his 3-pointer just didn't fall, he was 0/6 after starting with 2/2, which is probably correlated with doing a lot on both ends and playing 40+ minutes. Bottom line is that Luka and Lakers did enough in first half to afford worse second half.

Do you watch any of the games? Go rewind and see how Twolves defend Luka in the second half. Also, Lakers didn't score many more points than in game one. Yet they won't by playing better defense. I am surprised by Wolves response so poorly to adjustments. Hopefully, the they will do better next game.

Luka has the most robust offensive game in Nba, that's why he's second best scorer in playoffs in Nba history. If his step back is working he's unguardable. He can be stopped only by himself.

Lakers didn't score more points because they were shooting 20% for 3, like Wolves. Normally you're not winning many games with that %. If both teams had normal %, it would have been something like 115:105.

The problem for Wolves is very evident, how to stop the best player in the series without giving others too much space? Luka is averaging 34 with great efficiency, but he's more than capable to go for 50.

[Beethoven]

Or maybe his 3-pointer just didn't fall, he was 0/6 after starting with 2/2, which is probably correlated with doing a lot on both ends and playing 40+ minutes. Bottom line is that Luka and Lakers did enough in first half to afford worse second half.

Do you watch any of the games? Go rewind and see how Twolves defend Luka in the second half. Also, Lakers didn't score many more points than in game one. Yet they won't by playing better defense. I am surprised by Wolves response so poorly to adjustments. Hopefully, the they will do better next game.

Luka has the most robust offensive game in Nba, that's why he's second best scorer in playoffs in Nba history. If his step back is working he's unguardable. He can be stopped only by himself.

Lakers didn't score more points because they were shooting 20% for 3, like Wolves. Normally you're not winning many games with that %. If both teams had normal %, it would have been something like 115:105.

The problem for Wolves is very evident, how to stop the best player in the series without giving others too much space? Luka is averaging 34 with great efficiency, but he's more than capable to go for 50.

Only thing wolves can do is try to break his ankles.

[Revived]

Read on Twitter

C’mon LeBron, to quote his own son in that one commercial…”you’re way too old for this man”.

[TimberKat]

Do you watch any of the games? Go rewind and see how Twolves defend Luka in the second half. Also, Lakers didn't score many more points than in game one. Yet they won't by playing better defense. I am surprised by Wolves response so poorly to adjustments. Hopefully, the they will do better next game.

Luka has the most robust offensive game in Nba, that's why he's second best scorer in playoffs in Nba history. If his step back is working he's unguardable. He can be stopped only by himself.

Lakers didn't score more points because they were shooting 20% for 3, like Wolves. Normally you're not winning many games with that %. If both teams had normal %, it would have been something like 115:105.

The problem for Wolves is very evident, how to stop the best player in the series without giving others too much space? Luka is averaging 34 with great efficiency, but he's more than capable to go for 50.

Only thing wolves can do is try to break his ankles.

Whatever, 9/20, 2/8 from 3s, in 42 mins, Lakers score 94 pts, and 95 in the first game. I am not concerned at all, even though, I don't like the 9 assists. What's disappointing is Wolves offense can't figure out Lakers defense adjustments. You can keep respond with Luka is the best invention since slice bread or disposable diapers.

[HMFFL]

I suggest Minnesota work the ball inside more. Give Rudy Gobert a few more touches close to the rim.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using RealGM Forums mobile app

[Bob8]

Luka has the most robust offensive game in Nba, that's why he's second best scorer in playoffs in Nba history. If his step back is working he's unguardable. He can be stopped only by himself.

Lakers didn't score more points because they were shooting 20% for 3, like Wolves. Normally you're not winning many games with that %. If both teams had normal %, it would have been something like 115:105.

The problem for Wolves is very evident, how to stop the best player in the series without giving others too much space? Luka is averaging 34 with great efficiency, but he's more than capable to go for 50.

Only thing wolves can do is try to break his ankles.

Whatever, 9/20, 2/8 from 3s, in 42 mins, Lakers score 94 pts, and 95 in the first game. I am not concerned at all, even though, I don't like the 9 assists. What's disappointing is Wolves offense can't figure out Lakers defense adjustments. You can keep respond with Luka is the best invention since slice bread or disposable diapers.

Luka in 7 games against Wolves in playoffs, 32.9/9.7/7.3; 1.9 steals, 3 pts % 42.3; 63.9 TS%. 6 games over 30 points, the only time when he scored under 30 points it was 28 points.

Wolves have for sure very good chances to win, if Lakers will continue to shoot 20% for 3. I honestly don't believe that AR will continue to miss wide open shots.

[Revived]

Read on Twitter

I swear to god that 10 years from now, people are gonna be wondering how in the world this man got DPOY four times…I’ve never seen a perimeter player not completely embarrass Gobert in the playoffs.

Utah fans are all too familiar to this and that’s why he was dumped….for FIVE first rd picks too

[dakomish23]

The good news for MIN is you haven’t even sniffed the 3-4 monster Ant games we should get out of him each round. I think he’s going off in MIN. He’s just as good as anyone in this league - he just hasn’t figured out to impose that night in night out.

They are an incredible team when he’s efficient and not dominating the ball. Usually means the other guys are having a good game. I’m sure we’ll get a game where Ant and Luka are dominating the offense and going at it, but imo neither team wants it to come to that.

Who said anything about him dominating the ball?

[Beethoven]

Cant wait till Friday.. lets get this party started dam yall

[CobraCommander]

They both shot 20% from 3 and no one scored 100… the wolves let one get away cause they played worse.

You don't think Lakers defense had anything to do with it?

No, we're talking about Lakers D only when is bad.

Naw you guys are Luka only fans- yall not lakers fans.

Here is the Luka take- when he locks in Ant doesn’t drive on him… he just shoots threes- which proves your boy can play defense when he cares…

Lakers and Wolves played bad and I expect this series to end in 5

[ryguy613]

You don't think Lakers defense had anything to do with it?

No, we're talking about Lakers D only when is bad.

Naw you guys are Luka only fans- yall not lakers fans.

Here is the Luka take- when he locks in Ant doesn’t drive on him… he just shoots threes- which proves your boy can play defense when he cares…

Lakers and Wolves played bad and I expect this series to end in 5

so you think this is a sweep the rest of the way by the Wolves? Bet?

[CobraCommander]

No, we're talking about Lakers D only when is bad.

Naw you guys are Luka only fans- yall not lakers fans.

Here is the Luka take- when he locks in Ant doesn’t drive on him… he just shoots threes- which proves your boy can play defense when he cares…

Lakers and Wolves played bad and I expect this series to end in 5

so you think this is a sweep the rest of the way by the Wolves? Bet?

Yep - it’s done

[Jta444]

Jimmy Butler now out for Warriors, Lebron James is celebrating. He smells blood and will now go all out vs the Wolves knowing 2nd round will be a breeze against the Rockets. It’s an automatic trip to the WCF again.

And by the looks of it maybe Clippers can take out the Thunder and by the time they’re in WCF Kawhi’s knees are pulverized so it’s just Harden vs Lakers. Another Lebron Finals and Celtics aren’t healthy either with Tatum and Brown banged up.

A title at 40 makes him undisputed GOAT not only in basketball but in all sports. This is Lebron’s lifelong dream. Only problem now is how he will get Finals MVP over Luka. But Lebron says let’s cross the bridge when we get there. But so far it’s going good and everything’s aligning well.

[Revived]

Yeah this really feels like a cakewalk for the Lakers to the finals. Idk if they can beat Boston once there but who knows tbh Luka was able to push that same team without LeBron James to 6 games so it’s definitely possible.

[California Gold]

Jimmy Butler now out for Warriors, Lebron James is celebrating. He smells blood and will now go all out vs the Wolves knowing 2nd round will be a breeze against the Rockets. It’s an automatic trip to the WCF again.

And by the looks of it maybe Clippers can take out the Thunder and by the time they’re in WCF Kawhi’s knees are pulverized so it’s just Harden vs Lakers. Another Lebron Finals and Celtics aren’t healthy either with Tatum and Brown banged up.

A title at 40 makes him undisputed GOAT not only in basketball but in all sports. This is Lebron’s lifelong dream. Only problem now is how he will get Finals MVP over Luka. But Lebron says let’s cross the bridge when we get there. But so far it’s going good and everything’s aligning well.

Warriors were never going to beat the Lakers. The Lakers match up well against the Warriors, the T-Wolves are a tougher matchup honestly. Just a matter of putting a few good offensive games together for this team to get going now.

[OriginalRed]

Jimmy Butler now out for Warriors, Lebron James is celebrating. He smells blood and will now go all out vs the Wolves knowing 2nd round will be a breeze against the Rockets. It’s an automatic trip to the WCF again.

And by the looks of it maybe Clippers can take out the Thunder and by the time they’re in WCF Kawhi’s knees are pulverized so it’s just Harden vs Lakers. Another Lebron Finals and Celtics aren’t healthy either with Tatum and Brown banged up.

A title at 40 makes him undisputed GOAT not only in basketball but in all sports. This is Lebron’s lifelong dream. Only problem now is how he will get Finals MVP over Luka. But Lebron says let’s cross the bridge when we get there. But so far it’s going good and everything’s aligning well.

Nice fanfiction bro

[Jta444]

Jimmy Butler now out for Warriors, Lebron James is celebrating. He smells blood and will now go all out vs the Wolves knowing 2nd round will be a breeze against the Rockets. It’s an automatic trip to the WCF again.

And by the looks of it maybe Clippers can take out the Thunder and by the time they’re in WCF Kawhi’s knees are pulverized so it’s just Harden vs Lakers. Another Lebron Finals and Celtics aren’t healthy either with Tatum and Brown banged up.

A title at 40 makes him undisputed GOAT not only in basketball but in all sports. This is Lebron’s lifelong dream. Only problem now is how he will get Finals MVP over Luka. But Lebron says let’s cross the bridge when we get there. But so far it’s going good and everything’s aligning well.

Warriors were never going to beat the Lakers. The Lakers match up well against the Warriors, the T-Wolves are a tougher matchup honestly. Just a matter of putting a few good offensive games together for this team to get going now.

I know they weren’t losing to the Warriors. They have the best duo in the league Lebron and Luka. What I said was it’s gonna be much easier now vs the Rockets/Warriors without Butler. So Lebron can rest and take games off in 2nd round, which will help him for the Finals push. Which by the way, is also much easier now too since Tatum is now injured.

Btw I noticed it was KCP who pushed off Tatum to injure him. Perhaps it was a directive by Klutch/Lebron since that’s his agency and Lebron is his old buddy? This helps Lebron immensely