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

[guest81]

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.

So stats through an 82 game season mean nothing it's just all about vibes got it

[jehosafats]

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

Ant better come back to reality and get his treadmill

[Bob8]

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.

So stats through an 82 game season mean nothing it's just all about vibes got it

It's all about matchups in playoffs. If you play good against 28 teams and not that good against 1, all the RS stats won't help you much, if you play against team you matchup bad against.

Then you have question of depth. In RS depth is very important in playoffs not that much, most teams play with 8-9 players. Lakers aren't having great depth, but they have solid 8 players lineup.

And then is star power. Best players don't win always, but it for sure helps, if you have the best player of the series, player who's capable of taking over or scoring, when it matters the most. Luka has won 2 games in last series like that. 3 over Gobert and total destruction of Wolves in first half of game 5. If you remember last year's playoffs, Wolves were leading in more or less all games except game 5, but Luka and Kyrie were just dominant in the clutch.

I gladly admit that Wolves are having better offense and D, not sure how that will help Wolves guarding Luka though.

[Klomp]

My optimistic side draws comparisons to the Phoenix series last year. Phoenix had more star power, but it was all on the perimeter while interior depth was lacking. They also lacked a singular player to match up against Anthony Edwards on defense.

I also think it's important to note that while this is a 3/6 matchup, there is only one game of separation between the teams during the regular season. This should be a good matchup.

[TimberKat]

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.

So stats through an 82 game season mean nothing it's just all about vibes got it

No, no, and no. It's all about Luka. Luka wins it all

[TimberKat]

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.

I am saying you will see more early double team on Luka, try to take the ball out of his hands, also offense targeted to make Luka work. Wolves have a couple more pieces to do this than last year.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Both of these teams can be really good.

- Lakers have Doncic. James. Reaves. And complementary role players who know their roles. Experience. Star power. Homecourt.
- As noted, the Wolves are ranked #8 on offense. #6 on defense. Historically, top 10 ratings mean you're a legit playoff team... only it's rare for one to be seeded 6th. Only OKC, CLE and BOS are the other teams with top 10 rankings in both... #1 and #2 seeds.

Rotations
Of course, star power sells. And often wins in the NBA. And it might be that simple for the Lakers like it was last year for the Mavericks. But let's say other players besides the stars matter...

Both teams are looking at 8-man rotations.

- James
- Doncic
- Reaves
- Hachimura
- Hayes
....
Finney-Smith
Vincent
Vanderbilt

vs.

- Edwards
- Randle
- McDaniels
- Gobert
- Conley
....
Divincenzo
Naz Reid
Alexander-Walker

Minnesota has the deeper team. It can be argued that they have the three best bench guys in the series. They have to win that matchup significantly. Some recent stats indicate the Wolves have been more effective with Edwards on the bench. For those wondering who can score other than Edwards... basically everyone other than Conley.

______________________

A lot of people talking about the Gobert matchup. It's not ideal for him. But I disagree a bit about how... I think we might see it more on offense.

Defensively, despite the very publicized Doncic game winner... Gobert has been decent (or even good) defending the perimeter. Offensively, Edwards gets blitzed more than anyone else in the NBA. What can Gobert do with the ball off the short roll? What can he do with a size advantage in the post? If he can't take advantage of it... his defensive value is compromised. So we'd see more of Naz Reid.

And Reid is a worse defender everywhere on the court compared to Rudy Gobert.

_______________________

Jaden McDaniels started to make the leap later in the year when Randle and Divincenzo were out injured. After only one double-double last year, McDaniels had 10 double-doubles this season... most of them during that stretch when he played more at the 4.

He'll be back to the 3 and guarding the perimeter more vs. the Lakers. With Randle and Divincezo returning... McDaniels has gone silent. After averaging about 15/8/3 for 20 games... he's down to 9/4/1 over the past 10 games with everyone back in the mix.

He can still be impactful defensively, but how he's officiated matters. A LOT. He's been foul prone in his career, so he'll have to play smart and composed. Early foul trouble will be an issue.

_________________________

Minnesota's season was remarkable in that they played a lot of close games... and lost most of them. The late-game clutch offense has been very poor, ranking near the very bottom of the league.

In a close game, I think most people trust the Lakers... and James and Doncic more than anything the Timberwolves can put out there... with good reason.

_________________________

The other interesting thing about the Wolves this season is the tendency to lose to terrible teams. Losing to very bad teams... and teams without most of its starters playing... has been a constant this season. It cost them a higher seed and a better matchup.

No way I'd vote against James and Doncic (and even Reaves) in a close game down the stretch. A lot of it might be as simple as composure. How will Edwards, McDaniels, et al react to a bad call or two in these games?

[Bob8]

My optimistic side draws comparisons to the Phoenix series last year. Phoenix had more star power, but it was all on the perimeter while interior depth was lacking. They also lacked a singular player to match up against Anthony Edwards on defense.

I also think it's important to note that while this is a 3/6 matchup, there is only one game of separation between the teams during the regular season. This should be a good matchup.

It's funny that you're talking about Suns series, knowing that Lakers offense will be very similar to Mavs series, with 1 exception you have 3 offensive perimeter players to stop not just 2. About D, Suns had nobody on wing except KD, Lakers basically have only wings. DFS, Vando and Rui pretty good as is LeBron when motivated.

Not that matter, but it would have been 2 games separation, if Lakers needed to win last game.

We can talk about D, who has bigger lineup..., but in the end it's pretty simple, If Ant outplays Luka, Wolves will win. If Luka outplays Ant like last year, it will be short series.

[TimberKat]

I expect Twolves to use 9 man rotation with Clark play some real minutes. Conley is too small for Luka/Reaves. Gobert on Hayes/Vanderbilt is perfect. May even reduced minutes from Na/Randle for Clark. JMcD on LBJ.

[Klomp]

It's funny that you're talking about Suns series, knowing that Lakers offense will be very similar to Mavs series, with 1 exception you have 3 offensive perimeter players to stop not just 2. About D, Suns had nobody on wing except KD, Lakers basically have only wings. DFS, Vando and Rui pretty good as is LeBron when motivated.

3 offensive perimeter players to stop instead of 2? I guess I don't follow, since last I checked Phoenix had Booker, Durant and Beal last year. Or are you talking about Dallas now?

As far as Dallas versus Los Angeles, I think Irving presents a uniquely difficult challenge for the Minnesota defense. Reaves is difficult too, but he presents a different kind of challenge than Irving, and one that I think Minnesota has the tools to slow dow more easily.

If Los Angeles puts LeBron in the middle of the floor, that's something that could wreak havoc on the Minnesota defense potentially. That's something that neither Phoenix or Dallas really had. Lively did it a little bit, but his threat was more on lobs than in the Draymond-style short roll where I think LeBron could be deadly.

[Ambrose]

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.

I am saying you will see more early double team on Luka, try to take the ball out of his hands, also offense targeted to make Luka work. Wolves have a couple more pieces to do this than last year.

LA also have more scoring options than Dallas did. Not to say Minnesota can't win the series, they absolutely can, they are legitimately good, but I do not think your statement is anything more than wishful thinking.

[Klomp]

I expect Twolves to use 9 man rotation with Clark play some real minutes. Conley is too small for Luka/Reaves. Gobert on Hayes/Vanderbilt is perfect. May even reduced minutes from Na/Randle for Clark. JMcD on LBJ.

This will be the most interesting aspect of the lineups chess game. Who conforms to who first? If LA goes to Hayes or Vanderbilt, it plays into Minnesota's hands as it gives someone for Gobert to match up with. If Minnesota goes smaller more often, the Lakers could have the advantage.

[Bob8]

It's funny that you're talking about Suns series, knowing that Lakers offense will be very similar to Mavs series, with 1 exception you have 3 offensive perimeter players to stop not just 2. About D, Suns had nobody on wing except KD, Lakers basically have only wings. DFS, Vando and Rui pretty good as is LeBron when motivated.

3 offensive perimeter players to stop instead of 2? I guess I don't follow, since last I checked Phoenix had Booker, Durant and Beal last year. Or are you talking about Dallas now?

As far as Dallas versus Los Angeles, I think Irving presents a uniquely difficult challenge for the Minnesota defense. Reaves is difficult too, but he presents a different kind of challenge than Irving, and one that I think Minnesota has the tools to slow dow more easily.

If Los Angeles puts LeBron in the middle of the floor, that's something that could wreak havoc on the Minnesota defense potentially. That's something that neither Phoenix or Dallas really had. Lively did it a little bit, but his threat was more on lobs than in the Draymond-style short roll where I think LeBron could be deadly.

Can we stop pretend that Booker/KD/Beal trio is good. They couldn't make even play-in this year. They're total joke.

Motivated LeBron could be easily the best player on the court in some games. I believe Wolves fans don't completely understand how good LeBron still is. Hopefully his groin injury will be ok.

[Klomp]

Can we stop pretend that Booker/KD/Beal trio is good. They couldn't make even play-in this year. They're total joke.

Well they were better last year than they were this year....

[Revived]

Luka’s gonna hunt Gobert on defense and Gobert will be unplayable in the playoffs…again like he’s been for every playoffs he’s been a part of.

[shrink]

I believe Wolves fans don't completely understand how good LeBron still is.

Good reasoning! Who is this LeBron, and why have the people in Minnesota never heard anything about this fellow?

[Bob8]

I believe Wolves fans don't completely understand how good LeBron still is.

Good reasoning! Who is this LeBron, and why have the people in Minnesota never heard anything about this fellow?

I don't know, 40 years old players normally aren't that good.

[GeorgeSears]

The winner of this matchup will win the West. I've got the Lakers. If the TWolves prove me wrong, then good for them.

[shrink]

Read on Twitter

The best part is that this was posted from the account of Jim Peterson, the Wolves fantastic color man.

He wants Ant to see it.

Last year, lots of people said the Wolves were underdogs vs the Suns (0-3, jump shooting match up) and underdogs vs the Nuggets (the champs). When the experts favored them against Dallas, then they lost.

[AbeVigodaLive]

There's one huge difference with Luka, he's in much better condition and without injury this year. Luka in last few games looked like last season December/January Luka, a period with 60 points triple double and 73 points. He had great series against Wolves, especially in clutch moments but he wasn't monster he can be.

Haynes can be a lob threat, but more importantly small ball lineups give fantastic spacing for Luka, it's like spacing Luka was playing with KP and he had the most drives in Nba in that period. And look how Lakers 3-pts shooting was transformed with Luka's arrival. They're totally different team now. Yes Luka is great with lobs, but he likes great spacing even more.

JJ will prepare something to contain Ant, like he does for every star, someone else will need to beat Mavs and Wolves are not exactly the best team to do it. Clippers would be the most difficult to defend against.

I hope LeBron's groin is ok, Lakers can survive without him in offensive side but not in D.

One last thing, Lakers have fantastic record at home and against West.

Mavs mostly won series because Kyrie & Luka got them 60 ppg on some 61% TS on offense and Livley & Gafford combined for 20 PPG, 14,6 RPG & 4,2 BPG as they won rebounding battle.
Wolves also couldn't get anything for Towns, especially from 3 point line.

Lakers have nothing close to Livley & Gafford, matter of fact Lakers don't even have starting level C on roster. You can argue they don't even have nba- playoffs- level backup C on roster.

I'm very confident that Luka, Lebron, Reaves will cook on offense, i'm very confident that watching Randle will be painful experience, but i'm also very sure that Lakers defense will have massive issues keeping Wolves off glass, keeping Edwards from dribble penetrations and rim attacks.

As much as people penalize Wolves exit vs Dallas, we should remember how Lakers lost in first round as well. AD was best Lakers player and only player that played lick of defense. Reaves and Lebron, got fried on defense, Hachimura was useless. Hayes couldn't even be in rotation.
In only game Lakers won, Davis had 23 rebounds.

You can believe me or not, but healthy Luka is capable of much better performances than what did he did last year against Wolves especially with 5 out offense.

Maybe. But that would be one helluva run. After all, Doncic had one of his better playoff series vs. Minnesota last year. Doing even better this season would be very impressive indeed.

32.4 ppg
9.6 reb
8.2 ast
43.4% three-point shooting. His career playoff average is 34.7%. He shot 24.4% in the Finals last year.
63% TS