2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West First Round: #3 LA Lakers vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves (MIN leads 1-0)

[Bob8]

They are generating more threes, but Luka taking nearly 10 threes a game when AD took two is a big part of that change.

Change is not only in # of attempts, they're shooting with 5th best % in the league.

3-point variability will be a huge factor for the Lakers. Reaves is a pretty consistent 3-point shooter, but Luka and Lebron are famously hot and cold. In a playoff series, this is everything. If Lebron and Luka are hot from 3... the Lakers might smoke the Wolves no matter what. If either of them hit a cold stretch, things will get a lot more difficult.

Obviously 3-point variance is a massive deal for everyone, and anyone can get hot or cold. Some teams have a bit more variance than others, and I'd put the Lakers in that category. Their main shooters are Luka, Lebron, Reaves, Rui, and DFS. If Dalton Knecht plays, that's another strong shooter. Vando and Jaxson Hayes are non-shooters. Gabe Vincent is capable of getting hot but is another high variance shooter with below average overall results.

Wolves can be streaky too. Ant loves to jack threes and goes flaming hot and ice cold, and Randle isn't shy despite being a mediocre 3-point shooter. Gobert is a non-shooter and Jaden is a poor shooter. DDV, Naz, and Conley are all dangerous and pretty consistent. NAW has become very reliable from range. I'd trust the Wolves more from 3, since we have a whole season of them being in the top 5 in attempts and makes, but no one should be surprised if the Lakers outshot them in a series.

Yes Luka can have off nights by 3, problem for opponents is that they must still respect his shooting, which enables him going in the paint and passing out. The biggest difference between Luka and Ant is playmaking. Both can score a lot, but only 1 is generational floor general. That's why Wolves still need Conley on the court, while Luka can play with 4 3&D players.

I'm not saying Lakers will win, I'm saying they're 60:40 favourites in my eyes.

[TimberKat]

There is not enough Lakers games to figure out how Lakers will play. Most I heard so far are just LBJ, Luka, LAL fan comments. The only meaningful Lakers games are from 2/10 - 4/3 and LBJ or Luka were out in some of those games. It's true Lakers got a good trio of scorers. At the same time, Luka is the only one that requires double team. Twolves had so much trouble with DAL because Luka and Kyrie requires double team and normally Wolves don't doubt anyone. Even with that, the series was close. Wolves also added a couple guys that could guard the parameters this year.

For me it comes down to:
1. Which Randle going to show up? Wolves fan knows what I am talking about.
2. Will Gobert continue to play like he did in the last 10 games 14 rb and 18pts a night?
3. Can LBJ consistently hit 3s?
4. Can Wolves rotate fast enough to cover Reaves?
5. Between the new players and make Luka play defense, I am fairly certain Wolves will contain Luka this time
6. I am less worried about LBJ in half court set with JMcD or Randle covering him and Gobert defend the rim
7. Gobert can cover out to 3pt lines in certain situations and if Wolves feed him the ball for 18 pts, he will stay in all game

I have to say you're far less cocky this year than last. Last year you're offended by Mavs fans saying Mavs have a chance.

I believe it's far more simple situation. If Luka plays like he's playing last games, Lakers will win, because you can't double him with LeBron, AR and 2 shooters.

On the other hand Wolves will win, if Ant will play at least as good as Luka, not only scoring, but passing from double teams too.

I am surprised that anyone remembers me and I feel sorry for DAL fans. The only thing that give me comfort about the Towns trade is the Luka trade. Wolves fan are mostly humble and it's the DAL fans that were cocky but whatever. My take is don't expect Luka to have a great series but we shall see. Ant passing is hit or missed. He has improved greatly in the last few games but has a tendency to go backwards.

[Bob8]

There is not enough Lakers games to figure out how Lakers will play. Most I heard so far are just LBJ, Luka, LAL fan comments. The only meaningful Lakers games are from 2/10 - 4/3 and LBJ or Luka were out in some of those games. It's true Lakers got a good trio of scorers. At the same time, Luka is the only one that requires double team. Twolves had so much trouble with DAL because Luka and Kyrie requires double team and normally Wolves don't doubt anyone. Even with that, the series was close. Wolves also added a couple guys that could guard the parameters this year.

For me it comes down to:
1. Which Randle going to show up? Wolves fan knows what I am talking about.
2. Will Gobert continue to play like he did in the last 10 games 14 rb and 18pts a night?
3. Can LBJ consistently hit 3s?
4. Can Wolves rotate fast enough to cover Reaves?
5. Between the new players and make Luka play defense, I am fairly certain Wolves will contain Luka this time
6. I am less worried about LBJ in half court set with JMcD or Randle covering him and Gobert defend the rim
7. Gobert can cover out to 3pt lines in certain situations and if Wolves feed him the ball for 18 pts, he will stay in all game

I have to say you're far less cocky this year than last. Last year you're offended by Mavs fans saying Mavs have a chance.

I believe it's far more simple situation. If Luka plays like he's playing last games, Lakers will win, because you can't double him with LeBron, AR and 2 shooters.

On the other hand Wolves will win, if Ant will play at least as good as Luka, not only scoring, but passing from double teams too.

I am surprised that anyone remembers me and I feel sorry for DAL fans. The only thing that give me comfort about the Towns trade is the Luka trade. Wolves fan are mostly humble and it's the DAL fans that were cocky but whatever. My take is don't expect Luka to have a great series but we shall see.

Cocky saying they have chance to win? They were right.

Luka is in playoffs 30.9/9.4/8 in 50 games. Good luck to stopping him.

[cupcakesnake]

Change is not only in # of attempts, they're shooting with 5th best % in the league.

3-point variability will be a huge factor for the Lakers. Reaves is a pretty consistent 3-point shooter, but Luka and Lebron are famously hot and cold. In a playoff series, this is everything. If Lebron and Luka are hot from 3... the Lakers might smoke the Wolves no matter what. If either of them hit a cold stretch, things will get a lot more difficult.

Obviously 3-point variance is a massive deal for everyone, and anyone can get hot or cold. Some teams have a bit more variance than others, and I'd put the Lakers in that category. Their main shooters are Luka, Lebron, Reaves, Rui, and DFS. If Dalton Knecht plays, that's another strong shooter. Vando and Jaxson Hayes are non-shooters. Gabe Vincent is capable of getting hot but is another high variance shooter with below average overall results.

Wolves can be streaky too. Ant loves to jack threes and goes flaming hot and ice cold, and Randle isn't shy despite being a mediocre 3-point shooter. Gobert is a non-shooter and Jaden is a poor shooter. DDV, Naz, and Conley are all dangerous and pretty consistent. NAW has become very reliable from range. I'd trust the Wolves more from 3, since we have a whole season of them being in the top 5 in attempts and makes, but no one should be surprised if the Lakers outshot them in a series.

Yes Luka can have off nights by 3, problem for opponents is that they must still respect his shooting, which enables him going in the paint and passing out. The biggest difference between Luka and Ant is playmaking. Both can score a lot, but only 1 is generational floor general. That's why Wolves still need Conley on the court, while Luka can play with 4 3&D players.

I'm not saying Lakers will win, I'm saying they're 60:40 favourites in my eyes.

I still remember Jaden going over every screen for fear of Luka's step back 3... even though he torched every screen and roll Jaden went over. If it was reasonable to live with Luka's shooting, the Wolves would have made an adjustment. It's not reasonable. He can absolutely bury a team from 3 at any point. You want his 3s to be tough.

If the Lakers win, it will indeed be because of superior IQ and playmaking. This is easily my main fear facing the Lakers. Luka/Lebron will make good decisions and create a higher likelihood of high quality possessions. Ant and Randle are more likely to waste possessions with questionable decisions.

If the Wolves win, it will be because they're bigger and better. More shooting, more rim pressure, more tools in the defensive toolbox. I'm excited for the chance to knock off the Lakers on national TV, but I have a healthy fear of getting humiliated too.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Think a healthy LeBron makes it hard on wolves defense. He likely draw Randle. Would be surprised if he can’t force doubles.

Think ultimately Gobert or Randle has to be above season averages

[TimberKat]

I have to say you're far less cocky this year than last. Last year you're offended by Mavs fans saying Mavs have a chance.

I believe it's far more simple situation. If Luka plays like he's playing last games, Lakers will win, because you can't double him with LeBron, AR and 2 shooters.

On the other hand Wolves will win, if Ant will play at least as good as Luka, not only scoring, but passing from double teams too.

I am surprised that anyone remembers me and I feel sorry for DAL fans. The only thing that give me comfort about the Towns trade is the Luka trade. Wolves fan are mostly humble and it's the DAL fans that were cocky but whatever. My take is don't expect Luka to have a great series but we shall see.

Cocky saying they have chance to win? They were right.

Luka is in playoffs 30.9/9.4/8 in 50 games. Good luck to stopping him.

I see you just want to ensure Luka fills the stats sheet and that could be the case.

[Bob8]

I am surprised that anyone remembers me and I feel sorry for DAL fans. The only thing that give me comfort about the Towns trade is the Luka trade. Wolves fan are mostly humble and it's the DAL fans that were cocky but whatever. My take is don't expect Luka to have a great series but we shall see.

Cocky saying they have chance to win? They were right.

Luka is in playoffs 30.9/9.4/8 in 50 games. Good luck to stopping him.

I see you just want to ensure Luka fills the stats sheet and that could be the case.

Luka filing stat sheet is essential for winning. LeBron is 40 and I doubt you believe DFS, Rui and Vando will beat you.

On the other hand, LeBron is crucial in D.

[MikRay]

Ya media bias in the Wolves favor will be out of control this series

He is from Minnesota lol

He’s a fan not an objective observer

Not going to lie, I thought you were joking.

You get most national media is based in LA right? We have to endure the entire season and playoffs with NBA coverage that treats LA like the hometeam and the other 29 teams as the away team they've heard a little bit about. I'm laughing a little because... any media in a series against the Lakers, is going to have a massive bias towards the team playing in the biggest media market in North America. You feeling a need to police homer takes for the Wolves is a little ironic...?

Yes, Jon Krawczynski covers the Wolves. He is the Wolves beat reporter for the Athletic. As a Wolves fan, I'm super familiar with him. He's specifically our highest quality journalist. I think that amongst team-specific journalists, he's elite (up there with Caitlin Cooper for the Pacers and Adam Mares for the Nuggets.) Calling all team-specific journalists "homers" though is pretty reductive. It's not like Krawczynski is some raging annoying fan. He's hyper critical of the Wolves all the time. I get it that some teams have journalists or broadcasting teams that clearly don't check their bias when they provide insight by this guy isn't one of them.

Wrong he’s a homer

[liquidswords]

Lakers in 5. Luka already has experience lighting up this Wolves defense. Lebron, AR, and Luka may be defensive liabilities but the offense will be too much to handle.

[juanc]

Luka loves playing the wolves

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[TimberKat]

I am really confused. Is it Dallas vs Timberwolves in the first round?

[pepe1991]

I guess there is simply more Lakers / Doncic / Lebron fans out there than Wolves fans to write here, but some of takes are very hot.

Wolves didn't lose to Mavs last year because Luka averaged 50 ppg, he had great series but he didn't break it. Mavs incredible defense did.
Mavs big outplayed Towns & Gobert and their elite wing defenders disrupted Wolves offense.
Mavs team was louded with two-way wings, at almost every point of a game, they had at least two wing defenders in.
Mavs defense was so elite that despite fact they took 38 shots less than Wolves, they still made 9 shots total more.

Lakers defense isn't even average since ASG. It's 17# in nba.

Lakers have 1 wing defender in Smith and even he isn't that elite. That's pretty much all they have on defensive end.
Jarred Vanderbilt isn't playoffs playable for long, Rui last year in playoffs was two-way joke and punchline. Hayes was removed from rotation.
Reaves and Doncic are liabilities on defense, Lebron doesn't have stamina due age.
And nobody on Lakers can protect paint. Matter of fact Lakers have 0 capable defenders taller than 6'8. And worst C rotation in nba.



Even in games Lakers won, they were still ran over by elite ball handlers who can beat first line of defense. Because second line doesn't even exist. And they can't defend transition at all.
Lakers won lot of games in post Doncic era by dumping 40 threes a game ( top 10 most taken ) while having ability to shoot near 38% ( top 10 in accuracy & 3FGM ). Matter of fact 48% of all shots Lakers are taking are 3s. That also isn't really winning playoff formula. Maybe for team louded with uber elite 3 point shooters, but Lakers aren't that. They are definition of average.


Lakers can still win this series, Wolves have own set of problems. Both teams are mediocre against winning teams, Randle and Gobert are odd fit. Wolves don't have reliable second scoring option.

Whoever forces other team to adjust , will be in driver's seat to win a series.

But this will be 6 games series at least.

They are shooting so many 3s with so good % because Luka is creating wide open looks.

Mavs had 118 offensive rtg last year. Denver had 109.5 and Suns 109.3. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs.

Are you still sure that Mavs ofense didn't win the series?

lol what?

Mavs had 110,7 defensive rating in playoffs. That was 5th best defense. Only teams who played better defense, and who passed first round were:
eventual champions Celtics and OKC

Dallas offense was 7th in playoffs, 113,3.
Behind: Pacers, Knicks, Celtics, 7ers and Wolves. They were worst offense that got to Conference finals and second best defense.


Celtics tore Dallas apart because they isolated and targeted Luka on defense better than other teams, and dared him to beat them by himself, while rotating fresh defenders on him.
Luka had 39% usage rate on 4,2 TO and 53% TS.

Mavs had 118 offensive rtg last year. Denver had 109.5 and Suns 109.3. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs.

Regular season OFF rating, DEF rating & net rating 2023-24

Where do you get your data from? Onlyfans?

Conclusion: sorry to burst your bubble, but no, Mavs went far in playoffs because they had elite defense and two ball handlers/ scorers to score enough points. Dallas for full 48 min had 1 rim protector and Derrick Jones , Gafford, Livley, Washington and Josh Green provided excellent perimeter and rim protection.

I'm not saying Lakers can't beat Wolves, they can, but some of you pretend like it's Heat vs Bucks in 2013.
Lakers don't have single rotation level C that can play serious basketball in playoffs and nobody on perimeter can defend well but maybe Smith.
Lakers bench is so thin when it comes to quality that adjustments will be next to impossible.

Lakers best bet to win a series is to play elite offense and pray it's enough to cover for all the defensive lapses, and hope Wolves execution in clutch will suck, like it sucked in regular season.

[Bob8]

I guess there is simply more Lakers / Doncic / Lebron fans out there than Wolves fans to write here, but some of takes are very hot.

Wolves didn't lose to Mavs last year because Luka averaged 50 ppg, he had great series but he didn't break it. Mavs incredible defense did.
Mavs big outplayed Towns & Gobert and their elite wing defenders disrupted Wolves offense.
Mavs team was louded with two-way wings, at almost every point of a game, they had at least two wing defenders in.
Mavs defense was so elite that despite fact they took 38 shots less than Wolves, they still made 9 shots total more.

Lakers defense isn't even average since ASG. It's 17# in nba.

Lakers have 1 wing defender in Smith and even he isn't that elite. That's pretty much all they have on defensive end.
Jarred Vanderbilt isn't playoffs playable for long, Rui last year in playoffs was two-way joke and punchline. Hayes was removed from rotation.
Reaves and Doncic are liabilities on defense, Lebron doesn't have stamina due age.
And nobody on Lakers can protect paint. Matter of fact Lakers have 0 capable defenders taller than 6'8. And worst C rotation in nba.



Even in games Lakers won, they were still ran over by elite ball handlers who can beat first line of defense. Because second line doesn't even exist. And they can't defend transition at all.
Lakers won lot of games in post Doncic era by dumping 40 threes a game ( top 10 most taken ) while having ability to shoot near 38% ( top 10 in accuracy & 3FGM ). Matter of fact 48% of all shots Lakers are taking are 3s. That also isn't really winning playoff formula. Maybe for team louded with uber elite 3 point shooters, but Lakers aren't that. They are definition of average.


Lakers can still win this series, Wolves have own set of problems. Both teams are mediocre against winning teams, Randle and Gobert are odd fit. Wolves don't have reliable second scoring option.

Whoever forces other team to adjust , will be in driver's seat to win a series.

But this will be 6 games series at least.

They are shooting so many 3s with so good % because Luka is creating wide open looks.

Mavs had 118 offensive rtg last year. Denver had 109.5 and Suns 109.3. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs.

Are you still sure that Mavs ofense didn't win the series?

lol what?

Mavs had 110,7 defensive rating in playoffs. That was 5th best defense. Only teams who played better defense, and who passed first round were:
eventual champions Celtics and OKC

Dallas offense was 7th in playoffs, 113,3.
Behind: Pacers, Knicks, Celtics, 7ers and Wolves. They were worst offense that got to Conference finals and second best defense.


Celtics tore Dallas apart because they isolated and targeted Luka on defense better than other teams, and dared him to beat them by himself, while rotating fresh defenders on him.
Luka had 39% usage rate on 4,2 TO and 53% TS.

Mavs had 118 offensive rtg last year. Denver had 109.5 and Suns 109.3. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs.

Regular season OFF rating, DEF rating & net rating 2023-24

Where do you get your data from? Onlyfans?

Before you write something, read better. I was talking about defensive and offensive rtg in playoffs series Wolves played against Mavs and series played against Denver. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs in their series. Their offense wasn't good enough to win. Mavs was.

You can apologise of course. If you can't find advance stats for singular series I can help you.

About Celtics series. Celtics have far the worst offensive rtg. in Mavs series. 109.2, I doubt Mavs was realistically expected to limit Celtics more. unfortunately nobody from Mavs outside Luka couldn't score anything. It's kinda funny putting all blame on Luka, when Kyrie had one of the worst series of his career, especially in Boston he looked totally unrecognisable and role players couldn't hit wide open shots. Luka at least tried.

[pepe1991]

They are shooting so many 3s with so good % because Luka is creating wide open looks.

Mavs had 118 offensive rtg last year. Denver had 109.5 and Suns 109.3. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs.

Are you still sure that Mavs ofense didn't win the series?

lol what?

Mavs had 110,7 defensive rating in playoffs. That was 5th best defense. Only teams who played better defense, and who passed first round were:
eventual champions Celtics and OKC

Dallas offense was 7th in playoffs, 113,3.
Behind: Pacers, Knicks, Celtics, 7ers and Wolves. They were worst offense that got to Conference finals and second best defense.


Celtics tore Dallas apart because they isolated and targeted Luka on defense better than other teams, and dared him to beat them by himself, while rotating fresh defenders on him.
Luka had 39% usage rate on 4,2 TO and 53% TS.

Mavs had 118 offensive rtg last year. Denver had 109.5 and Suns 109.3. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs.

Regular season OFF rating, DEF rating & net rating 2023-24

Where do you get your data from? Onlyfans?

Before you write something, read better. I was talking about defensive and offensive rtg in playoffs series Wolves played against Mavs and series played against Denver. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs in their series. Their offensive wasn't good enough to win. Mavs was.

You can apologise of course.

About Celtics series. Celtics have far the worst offensive rtg. in Mavs series. 109.2, I doubt Mavs was realistically expected to limit Celtics more. unfortunately nobody from Mavs outside Luka couldn't score anything.

Before writing something, construct sentence in fashion it's readable.

" I was talking about defensive and offensive rtg in playoffs series Wolves played against Mavs and series played against Denver. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs in their series. Their offensive wasn't good enough to win. Mavs was. "
I supposed to be know this based on this?

Mavs had 118 offensive rtg last year. Denver had 109.5 and Suns 109.3. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs.

Sorry, but i can't read mind.


And Luka could score just fine?
24% for 3, 58% FTs, 53% TS 4,6 T0s on 5,8 APG. He averaged 25 shots a game to get to 29 points.

[ReggiesKnicks]

lol what?

Mavs had 110,7 defensive rating in playoffs. That was 5th best defense. Only teams who played better defense, and who passed first round were:
eventual champions Celtics and OKC

Dallas offense was 7th in playoffs, 113,3.
Behind: Pacers, Knicks, Celtics, 7ers and Wolves. They were worst offense that got to Conference finals and second best defense.


Celtics tore Dallas apart because they isolated and targeted Luka on defense better than other teams, and dared him to beat them by himself, while rotating fresh defenders on him.
Luka had 39% usage rate on 4,2 TO and 53% TS.







Regular season OFF rating, DEF rating & net rating 2023-24

Where do you get your data from? Onlyfans?

Before you write something, read better. I was talking about defensive and offensive rtg in playoffs series Wolves played against Mavs and series played against Denver. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs in their series. Their offensive wasn't good enough to win. Mavs was.

You can apologise of course.

About Celtics series. Celtics have far the worst offensive rtg. in Mavs series. 109.2, I doubt Mavs was realistically expected to limit Celtics more. unfortunately nobody from Mavs outside Luka couldn't score anything.

Before writing something, construct sentence in fashion it's readable.

" I was talking about defensive and offensive rtg in playoffs series Wolves played against Mavs and series played against Denver. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs in their series. Their offensive wasn't good enough to win. Mavs was. "
I supposed to be know this based on this?

Mavs had 118 offensive rtg last year. Denver had 109.5 and Suns 109.3. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs.

Sorry, but i can't read mind.


And Luka could score just fine?
24% for 3, 58% FTs, 53% TS 4,6 T0s on 5,8 APG. He averaged 25 shots a game to get to 29 points.

As a bystander simply reading the posts, I thought it was painfully obvious what Bob8 was referencing, and I was confused why you were posting all these statistics and clown emoji's.

[SA37]

I like the Lakers here 4-2.

The X factor here is going to be Julius Randle, who will need to have a big series if Minnesota is going to have a chance.

[Bob8]

lol what?

Mavs had 110,7 defensive rating in playoffs. That was 5th best defense. Only teams who played better defense, and who passed first round were:
eventual champions Celtics and OKC

Dallas offense was 7th in playoffs, 113,3.
Behind: Pacers, Knicks, Celtics, 7ers and Wolves. They were worst offense that got to Conference finals and second best defense.


Celtics tore Dallas apart because they isolated and targeted Luka on defense better than other teams, and dared him to beat them by himself, while rotating fresh defenders on him.
Luka had 39% usage rate on 4,2 TO and 53% TS.







Regular season OFF rating, DEF rating & net rating 2023-24

Where do you get your data from? Onlyfans?

Before you write something, read better. I was talking about defensive and offensive rtg in playoffs series Wolves played against Mavs and series played against Denver. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs in their series. Their offensive wasn't good enough to win. Mavs was.

You can apologise of course.

About Celtics series. Celtics have far the worst offensive rtg. in Mavs series. 109.2, I doubt Mavs was realistically expected to limit Celtics more. unfortunately nobody from Mavs outside Luka couldn't score anything.

Before writing something, construct sentence in fashion it's readable.

" I was talking about defensive and offensive rtg in playoffs series Wolves played against Mavs and series played against Denver. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs in their series. Their offensive wasn't good enough to win. Mavs was. "
I supposed to be know this based on this?

Mavs had 118 offensive rtg last year. Denver had 109.5 and Suns 109.3. Denver had better defensive rtg than Mavs.

Sorry, but i can't read mind.


And Luka could score just fine?
24% for 3, 58% FTs, 53% TS 4,6 T0s on 5,8 APG. He averaged 25 shots a game to get to 29 points.

Because you didn't read the whole thread. I didn't have discussion with you, you just popped in with aggression and arrogance.

You might look closer at Celtics series.

Game 1, Luka 4/12 for 3, rest of the team 3/15, Kyrie 0:5. Luka made 1 3 more than the whole team, who were shooting mostly wide open 3s. Luka 30 points, 46 Fg%, Kyrie 12, 31 Fg %.

Game 2 Luka 32 points 57 Fg%, Kyrie 16 points, 39 Fg%.

Game 2 was up for taking, if Kyrie wasn't that bad. After that was uphill battle for Mavs, Luka with blackout and falling out in game 3.

Celtics was far better team, only chance for Mavs was that everyone play well, unfortunately nobody did. All in all Mavs strongly overachieved, nobody expected them in Finals.

[Gregoire]

Minny in 6

[Optms]

I am really confused. Is it Dallas vs Timberwolves in the first round?

Its Don Luka vs the Wolves.

Dallas is out fishing bro.

[Tomhomes33]

Timberwolves, Werewolves, Artic Wolves, Dire Wolves..Lakers in 5!