Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves picks, predictions, odds: Who wins NBA playoffs first round series.?

The 2025 NBA playoffs will pair the No. 3 seed Los Angeles Lakers and No.6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves in a first-round series beginning Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena.

The star-studded Lakers (50-32) made the biggest trade of the season, adding five-time All-Star Luka Doncic to a lineup that already included Lebron James and Anthony Davis. There's always "win now" pressure in Los Angeles, and this year's Lakers have their eyes on a deep postseason run. However, a 7-7 finish to the season indicates that head coach JJ Redick might have some fine-tuning to do.

The Timberwolves (49-33) finished the season on a roll, winning eight of their last nine games, with six of those victories coming by double-digit margins. Anthony Edwards is the focal point, leading Minnesota with 27.4 points per game, but the Timberwolves are deep. Head coach Mike Finch can call on eight players who averaged over eight points and 25 minutes per game over the course of the season, and Minnesota split the season series with the Lakers.

Here is the NBA playoff schedule for the Lakers-Timberwolves series, along with expert picks, predictions, odds, and how to watch:

Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves predictions, nba playoffs picks

ESPN: Lakers will beat Timberwolves in six or seven games

All 10 of the site's writers predicted that Los Angeles would advance past Minnesota in the first round, with eight saying the series would be decided in eight games and two having it go seven games.

NBA.com: Lakers will defeat Timberwolves in six games

Shaun Powell writes: "This team has a glow in coach JJ Redick’s first season and hit another gear once Luka arrived. Suddenly, even the role players — Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Dorian Finney-Smith, etc. — are upticking. Of course, success in the postseason will depend on stars, and the Lakers have more than Minnesota. LeBron, above all, still seems springy here in April. Edwards will need to be epic to make this series close."

FanDuel: Bet Lakers to advance past Timberwolves

Riley Thomas writes: "The T-Wolves are even in the top half of offensive and defensive rebounding percentages while Los Angeles ranks 24th and 18th in the categories. Alongside the ability to light it up from three-point land, Minnesota should be able to limit the Lakers' dependence on free throws while potentially winning the possession battle. Ultimately, I like the Timberwolves to push this series to seven games. It's still difficult to bet against LeBron James and Luka. Star power alone has me on Los Angeles to escape this series, but Minnesota is a legitimate threat."

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Bleacher Report: Lakers will win series vs Timberwolves in seven games

Andy Bailey writes: "Minnesota seems uniquely outfitted to challenge the Lakers. Anthony Edwards should be able to dominate a backcourt that's short on defensive upside. And the T'Wolves have multiple rangy defenders to deploy against Luka, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, with one of the game's best backline defenders still behind them. But there is at least one bit of evidence from the past that might inform this matchup. Just last year, Dončić averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2.2 steals in the Western Conference Finals. His Dallas Mavericks beat Edwards' Wolves in five games. And now, Luka has even more perimeter creation to help him. Minnesota might sell out on him, but it'll then be left scrambling to cover LeBron and Reaves. The Timberwolves have some advantages, but the sheer starpower at the top of L.A.'s roster will give it an ever-so-slight edge."

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NBA playoffs: Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves betting odds

The Lakers are -200 to win the series in NBA playoffs odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. The Timberwolves are +165.

The Lakers winning in five games is at +400 in odds for the outcome of the series. Los Angeles is also at +400 to win in seven games. It is +500 to win in six games and +900 to sweep the series in four games.

The Timberwolves are +450 to beat the Lakers in six games, +600 to win in seven games, +1000 to win in five games and +1600 to sweep Los Angeles.

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