Timberwolves vs. Lakers Predictions, Picks & Odds: NBA Playoffs, Today 4/19
It’s been a long-awaited matchup, but it’s finally here. Well, it’s still the final game of tonight’s slate, but we get to see LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers hosting Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the 8:40 PM ET looming, we’ve got our best Timberwolves vs. Lakers predictions to break down.
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Timberwolves vs. Lakers Predictions For Tonight NBA Playoffs, 4/19
When this game finally tips off, it will be the fifth meeting between LeBron James and Anthony Edwards this season, which in many fan’s eyes, is considered the transition of the old guard to the new guard of the NBA.
In the previous four meetings, each team won two of them, and in terms of covering the spread, the same 2-2 record was the case. As for an actually notable trend, ALL four of the matchups stayed under the total.
Given that Lakers head coach JJ Reddick said that overcoming the Minnesota defense was the key to success in this series, it’s clear that they’re well aware of the Timberwolves’ strong suit. That’s no surprise with a defensive powerhouse like Rudy Gobert holding down the middle, who is actually going to be the focus of the best bet from our Timberwolves vs. Lakers predictions.
Minnesota Timberwolves: One Step At A Time
After fully becoming a household name in last year’s postseason, Anthony Edwards was drawing comparisons to a young Michael Jordan. As you’d expect, that quickly upset many fans, but regardless, he’s helping the Timberwolves try and get over the hump, and they took the first step towards that last season.
Although Edwards has led Minnesota to the playoffs for four straight years, last year’s Western Conference Finals run was the first in which they made it beyond the first round. So, there is still one more step to take, and they’ll be looking for revenge against Luka Doncic specifically for his Dallas Mavericks taking them down last year.
Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron’s Legacy In The First Round
Luka’s new partner in crime - LeBron James - has a career that speaks for itself and has enough stats and trends for its own Hall of Fame. Regardless, right now it’s all about his dominance in the first round of the playoffs. That’s no matter if we’re talking Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat or Lakers.
After starting his career an amazing 14-0 in the first round, he now sits at a still impressive 15-1. This will also be his 24th different opponent in the postseason, which is an NBA record. Against all of those different teams, LeBron James has averaged 28.4 points per game, which is the sixth-msot in NBA playoff history.
Timberwolves vs. Lakers Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
While our favorite approach to the Timberwolves vs. Lakers predictions is player prop, but we’ve still got the standard markets for you as well:
- Point Spread: Minnesota Timberwolves +4.5 (-110) vs. Los Angeles Lakers -4.5 (-110)
- Money Line: Minnesota Timberwolves (+154) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (-185)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 216.5 (-110) vs. Under 216.5 (-110)
Timberwolves vs. Lakers Best Bet: Rudy Gobert To Record A Double-Double (Use For Underdog Daily Fantasy Contests)
So, about that player prop approach. Despite there being LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards on the court, we said that we were focusing on Rudy Gobert. The reigning and FOUR-time Defensive Player of the Year is known for that end of the court, but he can fil the stat sheet.
For multiple Timberwolves vs. Lakers picks, you could also take over 22.5 points + rebounds here, but with plus-money odds at nearly all major sportsbooks, we’ll take the great value. He’s had 36 of them on the year, and he’s not just barely getting them.
We can look at the Timberwolves games in April alone. In those seven games, Rudy Gobert has AVERAGED 19.4 points and 13.6 rebounds. He’s had games where he gets over that 22.5 line with points alone, and if that’s not a big enough sample size for you, we can go back a bit further than the start of April.
Heading into the month, Rudy Gobert had three straight games of 19 points & 25 rebounds, 17 points & 13 rebounds and 16 points & 16 rebounds. Truthfully, the 22.5 line doesn’t quite add up, especially when he won’t be dealing with Anthony Davis on the Lakers anymore.
Much has been made about Luka Doncic torching his defense in last year’s playoffs with the Mavs, but it’s time for the big man to shine. So, the best bet from our Timberwolves vs. Lakers predictions is Rudy Gobert to record a double-double (target his player card for Underdog fantasy contests).
Timberwolves vs. Lakers Injury Report & Starting Lineups
Guys like LeBron James and Luka Doncic have had their fair of injury concerns, but right now, the only Timberwolves vs. Lakers injury news in LA is that the team is about as healthy as they could hope for, although Rui Hachimura is currently listed as day-to-day.
The same good news can be said in Minnesota, as they don’t even have a single player listed on the Timberwolves vs. Lakers injury report. So, here are the expected Timberwolves vs. Lakers lineups for today:
MIN Timberwolves:
LA Lakers:
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Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.