Minnesota Timberwolves vs
Los Angeles LakersPredictions & Preview

Los Angeles Lakers Look to Eliminate Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 Showdown

On Wednesday, April 30, the Los Angeles Lakers will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series. The Timberwolves, currently trailing 3-1, will be looking to eliminate the Lakers in Los Angeles. Despite being the betting favorite with an opening line of -5.5, the odds have not shifted.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Timberwolves +194 | Lakers -230
• Spread: Timberwolves +5.5 (-110) | Lakers -5.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 209.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Los Angeles will win straight-up is 70%.

Minnesota vs Los Angeles Stats

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have demonstrated a strong depth advantage in the current series, securing two victories at home after splitting the first two games in Los Angeles. In Game 3, they finished with a decisive 13-1 run, and in Game 4, they rallied in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Anthony Edwards led the team with an impressive 43 points, Julius Randle added 36 points, and Jaden McDaniels contributed 16 points. Their scoring offense ranks fourth among playoff teams, averaging 108.5 points per game, with solid shooting percentages from the field and three-point range. Defensively, they rank fifth in allowing 108.88 points per game and perform well in rebounding and defensive statistics. Their solid performance has earned them a power ranking of 6 and a strong position in the NBA playoffs.

Los Angeles Lakers Analysis

In Game 4, Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 38 points, while LeBron James contributed 27 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. Rui Hachimura added 23 points, and Austin Reaves scored 17 but missed a potential game-tying shot. The Lakers struggled with a heavy workload for their star players, with both Luka and LeBron playing 46 minutes and only managing six bench points. Throughout the series, the Lakers have faced offensive challenges, ranking tenth among playoff teams in scoring, shooting 44.3% from the field, and 36.3% from three. Individually, Luka Doncic averages 30.8 points per game, while LeBron James averages 26.3 points per game. The Lakers have a power ranking of 18 and are ranked 19th for offense, scoring an average of 112.84 points per game. On defense, they rank 11th, allowing an average of 111.95 points per game. The Lakers shoot 47.77% from the field, 78.70% from the free-throw line, and 36.56% from three-point range. Defensively, they allow 46.34% shooting from the field, 77.48% from the free-throw line, and 35.67% from three-point range. The Lakers average 42.31 rebounds per game, 25.76 offensive assists, 13.15 turnovers, 42.86 defensive rebounds, 27.11 defensive assists, and 12.86 turnovers per game.

Lakers poised to assert dominance in Game 5 after strong series performance

The team that has emerged victorious in three out of four games in this series has shown their dominance with a margin of at least nine points in each win. This strong performance instills confidence in me to support the anticipated winning team, despite a challenging start in Game 1. The Lakers demonstrated a significant defensive improvement in Game 2, resulting in a 94-85 victory. As they face a critical juncture after losing two close games in Minnesota, the two days of rest should have prepared Los Angeles for the upcoming game. The expectation is that LeBron James will contribute significantly to the team's effort. While the outcome of potential Games 6 and 7 remains uncertain, I believe the Lakers will assert their dominance in Game 5, particularly with Minnesota's supporting players struggling.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]