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

[EmpireFalls]

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.

[Optms]

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.

Why not just double down and call for a sweep. You sound convinced.

[Wolfgang630]

How many flops will Austin Reaves have in this game and be rewarded by the refs?

[EmpireFalls]

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.

Why not just double down and call for a sweep. You sound convinced.

I absolutely would, the only issue is this:

a) Minnesota is young and lacks focus , b) Silver will make the call to the officials because he knows the Lakers = ratings.

Minny might sweep anyways though. That’s how comically vast the gap is between these two teams. Divincenzo and Reid, bench guys for the Wolves, would immediately assume starting roles on LA and be some of their most important players.

Doubt this will even be competitive without the refs.

[life_saver]

Lakers made some bad decisions on defense, over-helping even when it isn't required....especially Rui & Vando made some stupid decisions of over-helping which led to wide open 3 pt looks. Pretty sure they will fix some of those mistakes this game...this should be a lot closer game

[bb22]

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.

Why not just double down and call for a sweep. You sound convinced.

I absolutely would, the only issue is this:

a) Minnesota is young and lacks focus , b) Silver will make the call to the officials because he knows the Lakers = ratings.

Minny might sweep anyways though. That’s how comically vast the gap is between these two teams. Divincenzo and Reid, bench guys for the Wolves, would immediately assume starting roles on LA and be some of their most important players.

Doubt this will even be competitive without the refs.

Double down and call it, regardless of refs!

[Archx]

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.

Mavs lost 1st game vs LAC. Score was only 12pt difference but entire game Mavs felt like they were down 25+. Then they lost game 1 vs OKC with exactly same result as LAL did vs Wolves. They ended winning both series.

It's the NBA, anything is possible.

[SlimShady83]

New thread for Lakers/Min, good job mods:) many thanks.

[ReggiesKnicks]

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.

Why not just double down and call for a sweep. You sound convinced.

I absolutely would, the only issue is this:

a) Minnesota is young and lacks focus , b) Silver will make the call to the officials because he knows the Lakers = ratings.

Minny might sweep anyways though. That’s how comically vast the gap is between these two teams. Divincenzo and Reid, bench guys for the Wolves, would immediately assume starting roles on LA and be some of their most important players.

Doubt this will even be competitive without the refs.

What makes Minnesota young? Edwards has been in the postseason for 4 seasons now. Gobert has been in the postseason countless times, as has Conley. DDV is battle-tested in the postseason. The most inexperienced players are NAW and Randle, who aren't exactly young.

[Klomp]

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.

Why not just double down and call for a sweep. You sound convinced.

I absolutely would, the only issue is this:

a) Minnesota is young and lacks focus , b) Silver will make the call to the officials because he knows the Lakers = ratings.

Minny might sweep anyways though. That’s how comically vast the gap is between these two teams. Divincenzo and Reid, bench guys for the Wolves, would immediately assume starting roles on LA and be some of their most important players.

Doubt this will even be competitive without the refs.

These two things were honestly 98% of my concerns coming into the series. I am and was very convinced about our ability within the first 40 minutes of the game. But if it's semi-close in the last few minutes, no matter how it gets to that point, my optimism definitely isn't as strong.

[jscott]

A little worried about ANT’s health.
When he left game 1 the broadcast said it was due to cramping, but we all know teams aren’t honest about injuries this time of year.
Looked to me like when he returned to the bench he was talking to a teammate about what was going on and kinda gestured to his groin area. If he has a groin pull that ain’t healing up any time soon and will definitely limit him on both sides.
That’s just speculation on my part though. Anyone else notice that?

This **** happens to Ant all the time. He goes to the back, comes back a couple minutes later, and keeps playing. Dude walks off ankle/leg stuff all the time. He’s iron man.

[Klomp]

What makes Minnesota young? Edwards has been in the postseason for 4 seasons now. Gobert has been in the postseason countless times, as has Conley. DDV is battle-tested in the postseason. The most inexperienced players are NAW and Randle, who aren't exactly young.

That's the immediate perception when three of your top eight players are 25 or younger. But you are absolutely correct! Minnesota has flown below the radar, but those three players have been together for this entire stretch of Minnesota's four consecutive years in the postseason. It's ingrained in the culture those three and Finch have set here.

[Shaka_Zulu]

Read on Twitter

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This ad is so good, it embraces his violatile behaviour, and makes me wanna look at what shoes he's wearing all game tonight lol

[Klomp]

This is one game plan thing I find interesting....

You want to say Minnesota won't be as good shooting 3-pointers? OK fine, Minnesota also had a 44-32 advantage in points in the paint and a 25-6 advantage in fastbreak points and an 18-9 advantage in points off turnovers. How are they planning to fix those areas if the main focus is on the 3-point line?

[zimpy27]

LeBron will have a 30+ point game

Lakers will win this one I think

[Klomp]

$50k poorer, couldn't pay for a shirt!

Read on Twitter

[SlimShady83]

Time to get your drinks on people, It's holiday season lol

Let's Go Lakers!

[SlimShady83]

Maybe his shirt cost $50k and he used that??

$50k poorer, couldn't pay for a shirt!

Read on Twitter

[SlimShady83]

LeBron will have a 30+ point game

Lakers will win this one I think

Reaves, Luka, Bron In that order

[Wolfgang630]

The game everyone was waiting for