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The NBA Playoffs tip off tomorrow, leading into an epic showdown at 8:30 PM ET between the Minnesota Timberwolves and LA Lakers! Game 1 is just the beginning, and there’s a lot at stake for the two teams as they duke it out in the first of their best-of-seven series.
Take the time to analyze our picks below for the big game and decide whether it’s something you want to fade or follow!
The Timberwolves finished 6th in the Western Conference by the end of the NBA regular season, although that hardly matters now as they head into Game 1 of the playoffs. They look solid, especially when considering their last five games, starting with a close 114-109 victory over the 76ers on April 5. Despite the Bucks taking a 110-103 win over the Timberwolves the next game, Minnesota would go on to defeat the Grizzlies 141-125, the Nets 117-91 and the Jazz 116-105 in their most recent NBA matchup on April 13.
Speaking of extravagant performances, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards put up 43 points, 5 assists and 6 rebounds in his last game against the Jazz. Edwards will continue to have an incredibly promising postseason, considering his regular season stats saw a whopping 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, making him a critical piece of Minnesota’s point scoring.
Based on how his regular season was, we expect Anthony Edwards to put up 28+ points. Both center Rudy Gobert (18 rebounds and 19 points last game) and forward Julius Randle (10 rebounds and 10 points last game) put up double-doubles against the Jazz. Julius Randle continues to be crucial for getting rebounds, averaging 7.1 rebounds per game along with 18.7 points, so if the Timberwolves can get to the board for rebounds and dish it to Edwards, they could find a formula for success against LA.
The Lakers, on paper, are one of the scariest teams in the NBA at the moment, although they weren’t undefeated in their last five and would finish in 3rd place at the end of the regular season. Starting on April 6, the Lakers would take out the Thunder with a convincing 126-99 victory before stumbling 136-120 against them in a back-to-back matchup two days later. This would hardly affect LA, winning their next game against the Mavericks 112-97 before crushing the Rockets 140-109. They are, however, coming off a fresh 109-81 loss against the Trail Blazers in the season finale.
Their game against the Trail Blazers saw none of their starters take the court, with forward Dalton Knecht scoring 27 points and 8 rebounds. Against the Rockets on April 11, guard Luka Doncic scored 39 points while recording 7 assists and 8 rebounds.
Doncic continues to dominate as he heads into the postseason, averaging 28.2 points per game, 8.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists, making him one of the NBA scoring leaders. Forward Austin Reaves is also vital for LA’s success, putting up an impressive 20.2 points per game, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists. Forward LeBron James is not to be counted out, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists, making him, Reaves and Doncic a lethal point-scoring threat against any team.
Both teams are strong at scoring, so it may come down to whichever team gets more rebounds to retain possession. While the Timberwolves posted a 4-1 record in their last five heading into the postseason, the Lakers rested all of their main players for their final game, and they now head to their home stadium of Crypto.com Arena for this Game 1 matchup.
Considering all of this, we think the Lakers may edge the win at home, but not without Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards making a statement by putting up at least 28+ points by the end of Game 1.
Liam has been a major sports fan and soccer player for over a decade, with a particular focus on major top-level soccer leagues, including the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and MLS. He has written numerous promotional articles for various top sportsbooks and continues to publish historical and factual sports articles covering the NFL, MLS, NHL, MLB, EPL and more.