Best first-round NBA playoff matchups
The For The Hoops crew discuss the most exciting first-round NBA playoff series, including Lakers vs. Timberwolves and Rockets vs. Warriors.
Luka Doncic, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers welcome Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves for Game 1 of this first round NBA playoff series.
The Lakers have renewed hope in claiming another championship after a shocking February trade saw Doncic leave the Dallas Mavericks and arrive in Hollywood. Whether there is a cinematic ending in store for LA will be answered shortly, starting with Saturday’s playoff Game 1.
The Timberwolves come in as underdogs but tout one of the most exciting players in Edwards. The star guard posted 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists this season.
USA TODAY Sports is bringing you updates, scores and highlights for Saturday night’s Game 1:
The Lakers take on the Timberwolves on Saturday, April 19. The game time has been updated to 8:50 p.m. ET. The game will be on ABC with streaming available on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.
How to watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves playoff game: TV, stream
- Time: 8:50 p.m. ET/5:50 p.m. PT
- Location: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California
- TV: ABC
- Stream: Fubo
Watch the NBA on ABC with Fubo
The Lakers are favored to defeat the Timberwolves in their first-round NBA playoff series, per BetMGM odds (as of Saturday, April 19):
- Series winner: Lakers (-200), Timberwolves (+165)
- Game 1 Spread: Lakers (-4.5)
- Game 1 Moneyline: Lakers (-200); Timberwolves (+165)
- Game 1 Over/Under: 216.5
USA TODAY: All four experts pick the Lakers
The USA TODAY staff is in agreement. Here’s the experts’ picks for the Lakers vs. Timberwolves first-round series:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Lakers in seven
- Heather Tucker: Lakers in five
- James Williams: Lakers in five
- Jeff Zillgitt: Lakers in seven
NBA.com: Lakers in six
Shaun Powell writes: “(Los Angeles) has a glow in coach JJ Redick’s first season and hit another gear once Luka arrived. Suddenly, even the role players — (Rui) 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.”
Sports Illustrated: Lakers in seven
Ryan Stano writes: “Luka Doncic will be able to pull them to a victory in the final game thanks to a huge shooting performance. The Wolves weren’t able to contain Doncic last year when he was with the Mavs. That won’t change this year, but the Lakers’ poor defense will keep the series close.”
