Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers squandered a prime opportunity to level the series in Game 4. Trailing by 3 points at halftime, they ignited a 14-0 surge to open the third quarter, sinking four three-pointers. This burst gave them control, and they carried a 10-point advantage into the final period.

However, Anthony Edwards responded decisively. He rattled off 11 consecutive points, narrowing the gap to 4. With roughly four minutes remaining, he sank three free throws to reclaim the lead. Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, and Jaden McDaniels chipped in with timely baskets.

A critical mistake came when LeBron James turned the ball over on an inbound play with 30 seconds left. Edwards then sealed the lead with two more free throws. Austin Reaves had a chance to tie it at the buzzer, but a relentless Timberwolves defense forced a rushed, low-percentage shot from the corner.

Such costly lapses have plagued the Lakers all season. They frequently lose focus in clutch moments, a flaw they can’t afford in the playoffs where comeback opportunities are scarce. Once again, they were outworked.

The Timberwolves grabbed 18 offensive rebounds to the Lakers’ 11, offsetting the Lakers’ +5 edge in three-pointers. This marked another game where the Lakers made more threes yet fell short. It points to a troubling lack of focus at pivotal times. Regrettably, it may be too late to correct these missteps.

Lakers ATS Look Like the Value Pick
The No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, 24-17 on the road) face off against the No. 3 LA Lakers (50-32, 31-10 at home) in a first-round NBA Playoffs clash at Crypto.com Arena. Minnesota currently holds a 3-1 lead in the series.

Our top pick favors the Lakers to bounce back and cover the spread. Backing LA at -5.5 on the handicap at 1.88 odds looks like solid value.

Timberwolves Edge Close Game in Last Meeting
In their most recent encounter on Sunday, the Timberwolves edged out the Lakers 116-113 at Target Center.

Anthony Edwards led the way for Minnesota with 43 points, supported by Julius Randle's 25 and Jaden McDaniels’ double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. On the Lakers' side, Luka Doncic dropped 38 points, LeBron James contributed 27 points and 12 boards, and Rui Hachimura added 23 points.

Over their last 10 head-to-head meetings, the Wolves have come out on top in six.