There is just one day to go before the Los Angeles Lakers open up their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. This will be the first time since 2012 that they have started a playoff series in their home arena, and there will surely be lots of energy and passion in the house supplied by their loyal fans.
Many people are picking the Lakers to win this series, but it isn’t a foregone conclusion, as Minnesota has the personnel to make them work to advance to the Western Conference semifinals.
To get a sense of what may transpire over the next fortnight or so in this series, we asked the NBA wires experts at USA TODAY Sports Media Group to give their picks and predictions for this series. It turns out that not everyone is very bullish on the Purple and Gold as far as this matchup is concerned.
Clemente Almanza, Thunder Wire: This should be the most exciting Round 1 series out West. There are a lot of household names with LeBron [James], Luka [Doncic] and Ant (Anthony Edwards). Both of these have been some of the hottest teams since the All-Star break in opposite ways. Most times, a playoff series is decided by the best shot-makers. For Minnesota, Julius Randle is its second-best scorer. No offense to him, but he’s one of the weaker second go-to options among playoff teams. Los Angeles should get a series win where the final scores resemble a video game. Pick: Lakers in six
Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire: This should be an interesting matchup given the amount of star power on the floor for both teams. For the Lakers, you have LeBron James and Luka Doncic going against Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle of the Timberwolves. When you consider that Minnesota outpaces Los Angeles in both offensive rating and defensive rating, this series should be closer than most people might think and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Timberwolves overcome the Lakers with their ability to shut down opponents on the defensive end of the floor. Prediction: Timberwolves in 7.
Ky Carlin, Sixers Wire: The Lakers have Luka Doncic and LeBron James and the Timberwolves don’t. It’s kind of that simple. While Anthony Edwards is awesome and Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, and Mike Conley round out a very good starting 5, they can’t match up with Doncic and James. Those two superstars transcend basketball and they’re impressive to watch. I haven’t even gotten to Austin Reaves yet. Perimeter defense will be an issue, but not a huge enough one to make me sway my pick. Prediction: Lakers in 6.
Justin Quinn, Celtics Wire: I think this series boils down to how well the Lakers can bend the game to their will, given their severe limitations inside. With little to compete with Minnesota’s big man rotation on their roster, they will need to use perimeter shooting, ball movement, and deliberate, intelligent play to win this series. Thankfully for them, they have two of the best players imaginable to pull that off on the roster. Prediction: Lakers in 7.
Tommy Call, Warriors Wire: While the idea of Anthony Edwards continuing to build his aura by taking out another veteran star in the postseason like he did Kevin Durant in the first round of the playoffs like year would be intriguing, the Lakers’ new-look offensive attack led by Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves should provide enough fuel to push the Los Angeles over Minnesota.
Behind Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid, the Timberwolves do have an advantage in the front court with size, and should be able to capitalize with rebounds and second chance looks, the real advantage leans to the Lakers in the backcourt. Even if a stellar defender like Jaden McDaniels can limit Doncic or James, how do the Timberwolves deal with Austin Reaves? Reaves has been rolling and it looks like he could capitalize on an already breakout campaign. Give me the Lakers in five.
Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire: This series should be a fairly competitive one for both teams. Minnesota has a strong and big frontline that features four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and three-time All-Star Julius Randle, as well as Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels. All four of them are adept rebounders, and they will present a big challenge for a Lakers team that is small up front and has trouble on its defensive boards. Of course, Anthony Edwards is a legitimate superstar and can win games almost by himself.
But thanks to LeBron James and Luka Doncic, the Lakers have too much offensive firepower and star power for Minnesota, and home-court advantage is always a significant factor. I expect the Lakers to advance, although it won’t be easy. Pick: Lakers in six
