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

[Mk0]

95 points isnt going to win you many playoffs games in 2025.

Well they were on pace for 89 earlier so finishing with 95 is pretty good!

[AussieCeltic]

They were doubling and he kept finding the open man, he's unsolvable this game.

Well he better find a better way to prevent those switches from happening so easily. Because it's Wolves in 4 if it keeps happening. Finch babied JJ this game.

you can't hide 3 bad defenders (Rui/Reeves/Luka) and a player that plays defense in spurts (Lebron). There's no scheme that will work. You can bring in Vander whatever and Gabe but you sacrifice size and offense.

But I was told Rui was a great defender as he was the Jokic stopper?

[RunOKC]

Nico desperately on the phones right now calling league executives in an attempt to improve next year's Lakers.

Dereck Lively would look good in a Lakers uniform. Make it happen Nico!

[AlexanderRight]

Lakers in 8.

[mademan]

Mavs protected Luka/Kyrie last year by packing the paint and daring teams to kill them from three. They got pretty lucky last year. When the other team hits those open shots, this is what happens

[mademan]

Nico desperately on the phones right now calling league executives in an attempt to improve next year's Lakers.

Dereck Lively would look good in a Lakers uniform. Make it happen Nico!

Livley for Bronny/2nd rounder

[Heat3]

Nico Harrison vindicated!

[80HD]

[Patches Perry]

Have to like Ant's personality. Very raw but endearing.

[OldSchoolNoBull]

Just want to say I'm glad ANT and Reid both seem to be ok. Really don't want to see anyone get hurt.

[Chuck Everett]

I guess the question here isn't if the Lakers have the ability to turn this around and win the series, do they have the energy/legs to grind it out with them for 7 games. It seems like every year they look more and more drained and worn out. there is not an easy 1st round opponent...not sure if there even is one for anyone thats not the Thunder.

Where are the bench points going to come from for the Lakers?

[DreamTeam09]

Minnesota to me is so close to being serious contenders on a yearly basis They are literally just missing probably one more player. Who or what type of player that is I cant put my finger on it though

It’s a two way C who can kill in the short roll.

Maybe Queen.

No it's a PG who can maximize Gobert Randle Naz at the rim, imo.
They don't have much ball handlers

[AussieCeltic]

Nico desperately on the phones right now calling league executives in an attempt to improve next year's Lakers.

Dereck Lively would look good in a Lakers uniform. Make it happen Nico!

Livley for Bronny/2nd rounder

Someone take Nico’s phone

[mademan]

Well he better find a better way to prevent those switches from happening so easily. Because it's Wolves in 4 if it keeps happening. Finch babied JJ this game.

you can't hide 3 bad defenders (Rui/Reeves/Luka) and a player that plays defense in spurts (Lebron). There's no scheme that will work. You can bring in Vander whatever and Gabe but you sacrifice size and offense.

But I was told Rui was a great defender as he was the Jokic stopper?

Rui's fine against slower big wings. Like he'd be ok guarding Kawhi or something. But a quick guard like ANT will tear him up

[MNRunLeft]

Minnesota to me is so close to being serious contenders on a yearly basis They are literally just missing probably one more player. Who or what type of player that is I cant put my finger on it though

someone like Karl Anthony Towns could really thrive on this team

could probably do something like DiVincenzo + Julius Randle for him in the offseason

Take a look at Naz Reid’s stat line and you’ll realize why the Wolves choose to move KAT at $60+ mill per season.

[Diop]

Well he better find a better way to prevent those switches from happening so easily. Because it's Wolves in 4 if it keeps happening. Finch babied JJ this game.

you can't hide 3 bad defenders (Rui/Reeves/Luka) and a player that plays defense in spurts (Lebron). There's no scheme that will work. You can bring in Vander whatever and Gabe but you sacrifice size and offense.

eh..Im not gonna give up yet. We'll see what happens game 2.

I thought Vanderbilt and Finney smith were the defenders they needed. Maybe play rui off the bench.

[Tracymcgoaty]

Well he better find a better way to prevent those switches from happening so easily. Because it's Wolves in 4 if it keeps happening. Finch babied JJ this game.

you can't hide 3 bad defenders (Rui/Reeves/Luka) and a player that plays defense in spurts (Lebron). There's no scheme that will work. You can bring in Vander whatever and Gabe but you sacrifice size and offense.

But I was told Rui was a great defender as he was the Jokic stopper?

I dont think Rui is a bad defender though. He's playing with a bad knee. I think the team will be ready for game 2 hopefully.

[Domejandro]

"From beast mode to cheat code"... what is this dude saying?

[jehosafats]

That was a professional win for the Wolves. This is a series.

[whatisacenter]

Didn't think the Lakers would go down that easy in game 1.

You have to think LeBron would be his freshest in this one and he looked a step slow most of the game.