NBA

Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers

· West 1st Round - Game 5
49-33, 24-17 Away

vs

50-32, 31-10 Home

Minnesota looks to finish off series against Los Angeles in game 5

Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (50-32, third in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EDT

Lakers -5.5; over/under is 209.5

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Timberwolves lead series 3-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Timberwolves look to clinch the series over the Los Angeles Lakers in game five of the Western Conference first round. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 116-113 in the last matchup on Sunday. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 43 points, and Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 38.

The Lakers have gone 36-16 against Western Conference opponents. Los Angeles averages 113.4 points and has outscored opponents by 1.2 points per game.

The Timberwolves are 33-19 in Western Conference play. Minnesota ranks eighth in the Western Conference with 11.1 offensive rebounds per game led by Rudy Gobert averaging 3.7.

The Lakers score 113.4 points per game, 4.1 more points than the 109.3 the Timberwolves allow. The Timberwolves average 15.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 more made shots on average than the 13.6 per game the Lakers give up.

TOP PERFORMERS: LeBron James is averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists for the Lakers. Doncic is averaging 29.5 points, six rebounds and five assists over the last 10 games.

Julius Randle is averaging 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists for the Timberwolves. Edwards is averaging 30.5 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 48.8% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 5-5, averaging 110.9 points, 40.5 rebounds, 22.5 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.2 points per game.

Timberwolves: 8-2, averaging 113.0 points, 44.2 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 6.7 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 48.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 103.6 points.

INJURIES

: Lakers: Maxi Kleber: day to day (foot).

Timberwolves: Rob Dillingham: day to day (ankle).

Regular Season Series

Series tied 2-2

Matchup Prediction

Lakers: 61.3%
Timberwolves: 38.7%
*According to ESPN's Basketball Power Index

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/min.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originMIN https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/lal.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originLAL
W2 Streak L2
3-1 Last Ten Games 1-3
114.3 Points Per Game 113.4
46.8 Field Goal % 47.9
37.7 Three Point % 36.6
44.3 Rebounds Per Game 42.4
26.1 Assists Per Game 26.0
5.0 Blocks Per Game 4.5
8.0 Steals Per Game 7.7
0.7 Team Turnovers Per Game 0.8
14.5 Total Turnovers Per Game 14.0
Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Maxi Kleber, PF Out Apr 29
Minnesota Timberwolves Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Rob Dillingham, G Out Apr 29

Timberwolves Last 5

Date OPP Result
vs UTAH W 116-105
@ LAL W 117-95
@ LAL L 94-85
vs LAL W 116-104
vs LAL W 116-113

Lakers Last 5

Date OPP Result
@ POR L 109-81
vs MIN L 117-95
vs MIN W 94-85
@ MIN L 116-104
@ MIN L 116-113

Game Information

crypto.com Arena

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Capacity:

2024-25 Northwest Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Oklahoma City 68 14 .829 - W4
Denver 50 32 .610 18 W3
Minnesota 49 33 .598 19 W3
Portland 36 46 .439 32 W1
Utah 17 65 .207 51 L2

2024-25 Pacific Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
LA Lakers 50 32 .610 - L1
LA Clippers 50 32 .610 - W8
Golden State 48 34 .585 2 L1
Sacramento 40 42 .488 10 W1
Phoenix 36 46 .439 14 L1
Full Standings

NBA News

The Houston Rockets are still waiting for their next superstar

The Houston Rockets are still waiting for their next superstar

Only one young player is untouchable as the Rockets enter an offseason with lucrative draft capital and a promising future.

Real or not? Five top trends from NBA playoffs' first round

Real or not? Five top trends from NBA playoffs' first round

From the Timberwolves' late-game play to the Celtics' 3-point struggles, judging which of the playoffs' top trends will stick around.

Jamal Murray puts up 43 as Nuggets take 3-2 lead vs. Clippers

Jamal Murray puts up 43 as Nuggets take 3-2 lead vs. Clippers

Jamal Murray scored a game-high 43 points to pace the Nuggets to a Game 5 win over the Clippers and a 3-2 series lead.

Jamal Murray, Russell Westbrook spark the Nuggets' 131-115 win over the Clippers

Jamal Murray, Russell Westbrook spark the Nuggets' 131-115 win over the Clippers

— Nuggets interim coach David Adelman sensed one of Jamal Murray's patented playoff performances coming, and he was right on the money — just like his point guard.

Detroit Pistons outlast New York Knicks, force Game 6

Detroit Pistons outlast New York Knicks, force Game 6

As precious seconds ticked away in the fourth quarter Tuesday night, New York star Jalen Brunson was waiting at the scorer's table for a whistle in the Knicks' 106-103 loss to the Detroit Pistons, who stayed alive in this Round 1 series, forcing a Game 6.