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

[Castle Black]

Lakers in 6 at most. They have the best player in the series in Luka and the best #2 in Lebron + HCA + the better HC. Only advantages Minny has are athleticism and their defensive size, but that won't be enough to overcome the better team, especially when Gobert is virtually useless offensively outside of lobs and Luka owns him anyways.

[Tomhomes33]

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

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'll go with the Lakers in 6. Interesting stat from basketball reference...

Timberwolves
- The Wolves have won more games than the Expected W/L only once since the 2007 season (+1 in '23).
- Overall, they are -51.
- The Wolves are -4 this season. The stats lead to an Expected W/L of 53-29.

Lakers
- The Lakers have not won fewer than the Expected W/L total since the 2018 season... pre-Lebron James.
- Just counting the Lebron James era... the Lakers are +16.
- The Lakers are +6 this season and were +5 last season. The stats lead to an Expected W/L of 44-38.

It seems as though the Lakers somehow come through to win games more often than every other team... while the Timberwolves somehow come up short to lose games more often than every other team.

This season. Last season. Almost every season. Weird.

[SK21209]

I went Lakers in 7. I’m more nervous about this matchup than I think a lot of my fellow Laker fans are, but ultimately I think both teams are putting two on the ball and trying to get the ball out of the hands of Luka and Ant. And I think the Lakers have better collective playmaking than the Wolves do and will get better shots down the stretch of games.

[Sealab2024]

I'll go with the Lakers in 6. Interesting stat from basketball reference...

Timberwolves
- The Wolves have won more games than the Expected W/L only once since the 2007 season (+1 in '23).
- Overall, they are -51.
- The Wolves are -4 this season. The stats lead to an Expected W/L of 53-29.

Lakers
- The Lakers have not won fewer than the Expected W/L total since the 2018 season.
- Just counting the Lebron James era... the Lakers are +16.
- The Lakers are +6 this season and were +5 last season. The stats lead to an Expected W/L of 44-38.

It seems as though the Lakers historically come through to win games... while the Timberwolves historically come up short.

This season. Last season. Almost every season. Weird.

Yeah, I'm sure the final regular season win totals from the Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio led Wolves teams of over a decade ago will have a big hand in this series.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'll go with the Lakers in 6. Interesting stat from basketball reference...

Timberwolves
- The Wolves have won more games than the Expected W/L only once since the 2007 season (+1 in '23).
- Overall, they are -51.
- The Wolves are -4 this season. The stats lead to an Expected W/L of 53-29.

Lakers
- The Lakers have not won fewer than the Expected W/L total since the 2018 season.
- Just counting the Lebron James era... the Lakers are +16.
- The Lakers are +6 this season and were +5 last season. The stats lead to an Expected W/L of 44-38.

It seems as though the Lakers historically come through to win games... while the Timberwolves historically come up short.

This season. Last season. Almost every season. Weird.

Yeah, I'm sure the final win totals from the Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio led Wolves teams of over a decade ago will have a big hand in this series.

Nobody here made that claim.

Just pointing out a statistical anomaly...

[guest81]

Who does the Lakers have that can check ant?

What team in the league has someone that can check Ant?

I have checked Ant. Luka in his worst season is better in points and much better in rebounds, assists and steals.

Postseason stats are pretty similar

[guest81]

Lakers in 6 at most. They have the best player in the series in Luka and the best #2 in Lebron + HCA + the better HC. Only advantages Minny has are athleticism and their size, but that won't be enough to overcome the better team, especially when Gobert is virtually useless offensively and Luka owns him anyways.

Wolves have a better offense and defense

[FrobeBryant]

I have Lakers in 7, Minny's size and Ant's ability to go off kinda scares me but Luka's disdain for Gobert has me confident the Lakers pull this one out after a long grueling series. This is also JJ's first time coaching in a playoffs so I'm curious how he deals with the chess match and how he counters to whatever Finch does.

[Bob8]

Lakers in 6 at most. They have the best player in the series in Luka and the best #2 in Lebron + HCA + the better HC. Only advantages Minny has are athleticism and their size, but that won't be enough to overcome the better team, especially when Gobert is virtually useless offensively and Luka owns him anyways.

Wolves have a better offense and defense

That didn't result in more wins in RS, why should in playoffs?

[Beethoven]

Lakers in 6 at most. They have the best player in the series in Luka and the best #2 in Lebron + HCA + the better HC. Only advantages Minny has are athleticism and their size, but that won't be enough to overcome the better team, especially when Gobert is virtually useless offensively and Luka owns him anyways.

Wolves have a better offense and defense

That didn't result in more wins in RS, why should in playoffs?

Well, to be fair, they both virtually have the same regular season record.

[Bob8]

Wolves have a better offense and defense

That didn't result in more wins in RS, why should in playoffs?

Well, to be fair, they both virtually have the same regular season record.

They shouldn't have if 1 is better in offense and D.

All this regular stats means 0 in those series. You can have the best D in the league, last year's Wolves, and it doesn't help much, if you can't stop 2 best players of opponents, last year's Wolves again.

[TimberKat]

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

Its Don Luka vs the Wolves.

Dallas is out fishing bro.

Exactly - it's Luka against the world. So, not really about basketball or is it? Maybe Luka is basketball?

[G35]

Anthony Edwards needs to be the best player on the court. I don't care how he has to do it, but if he's next, then he needs to show it this series.

But I don't think he will, I still think a lot of the younger NBA stars are scared of Lebron and I think the Lakers close it in 5 or 6.....

[Bob8]

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

Its Don Luka vs the Wolves.

Dallas is out fishing bro.

Exactly - it's Luka against the world. So, not really about basketball or is it? Maybe Luka is basketball?

I believe we will see very similar plays like last year, so last year's Luka's performance is for sure relevant. Even JJ said in press conference that he will talk with Luka about Wolves, because RS and playoffs are 2 very different things.

I'm sure those games are relevant for Finch too, he for example for sure won't let Gobert alone on Luka in last seconds.

You can bet that Wolves coaching staff is watching last year's games very closely.

[MNRunLeft]

If Jaxon Hayes, Rui and/or Vando or whoever the Lakers opt to use in lob situations can replicate what Lively and Gafford did last year for the Mavs the Wolves will be in real trouble. The constant threat of the lob was a major reason the Wolves struggled so much vs Luka and the Mavs last year they would regularly got stuck in no mans land not fully committing to the close out or drop to stop the lob and left Luka room to punish with either option. Not to mention how much better Lively and Gafford are/were protecting the rim than anything the Lakers have to offer as constructed. If the Lakers had Mark Williams right now I think this would be a clear Lakers advantage and probably a 5 or 6 game series, but with so much uncertainly in the front court their is a real opportunity the Wolves size and length to be the difference in the series.

[Ambrose]

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.

Why? The Wolves don't have anyone who can guard him.

[Klomp]

Anthony Edwards needs to be the best player on the court. I don't care how he has to do it, but if he's next, then he needs to show it this series.

But I don't think he will, I still think a lot of the younger NBA stars are scared of Lebron and I think the Lakers close it in 5 or 6.....

Read on Twitter

[Handlez]

Anthony Edwards needs to be the best player on the court. I don't care how he has to do it, but if he's next, then he needs to show it this series.

But I don't think he will, I still think a lot of the younger NBA stars are scared of Lebron and I think the Lakers close it in 5 or 6.....

Read on Twitter

Not a big LeBron fan, but he kind of gave me chills here.

The KANG at 40. Oof.

[baller16]

Even if Ant shows up, Minny has no reliable 2nd option. Lakers got Lebron and he's practically a top 5 player when healthy this season. I don't think this series will even be close. A Lakers 4-0 or 4-1 wouldn't shock me