Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Picks and Predictions April 27th 2025

Game 4 Plot Thickens as Timberwolves Hold 2-1 Lead Over Lakers

The drama, intensity, and unpredictability of the Western Conference quarterfinal series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves continue to captivate. With Minnesota holding a 2-1 series advantage, Sunday’s Game 4 in Minneapolis promises to be another must-watch thriller as both teams battle for control.

Timberwolves Seize Momentum

The Timberwolves closed strong in Game 3, pulling away late for a 116-104 victory and seizing the series lead. With a chance to push the Lakers to the brink, Minnesota knows it must stay sharp.

“You never know what’s going to happen at any moment, especially in the playoffs,” said Timberwolves forward Naz Reid, who delivered clutch shots off the bench in Game 3.

Anthony Edwards continued to shine, leading Minnesota’s balanced offensive attack and showing respect for his opponent.

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“He (LeBron) was shootin’ it from Yucatan. He was shooting it crazy,” Edwards said about LeBron James’ incredible Game 3 performance. “It was fun to watch him, be competing against him.”

The Timberwolves have four players averaging double figures in scoring during the series — Edwards (25.3 ppg), Julius Randle (21.7 ppg), Jaden McDaniels (21.0 ppg), and Reid (14.3 ppg) — giving them a dynamic and difficult-to-defend offense.

Lakers Relying on LeBron, Hoping Doncic Rebounds

LeBron James was brilliant in Game 3, pouring in 38 points and keeping the Lakers competitive. But with Luka Doncic battling a stomach bug and struggling to find his shooting touch (6-for-16 from the field), the Lakers lacked the additional firepower needed to close the gap.

“Hopefully, whatever’s going on, he’s feeling better on Sunday,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I mean, I can’t (diagnose him). I’m not a doctor.”

Doncic still leads the Lakers with 28.3 points per game for the series, while James is close behind at 26.0. Austin Reaves, averaging 17.3 points, will also be key as the Lakers aim to even things up.

If you’re studying NBA playoff predictions for this pivotal matchup, the Lakers’ ability to limit turnovers and get Doncic back to form will be critical. Check out the latest NBA picks for expert takes on whether the Lakers can pull even or if the Timberwolves can take full control.

Turnovers and Execution: The Lakers’ Biggest Hurdles

Turnovers have been a major issue for Los Angeles, as they’re averaging 15.3 giveaways per game compared to Minnesota’s 11.3. That inefficiency has hurt them in tight stretches, something James emphasized after Game 3.

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“In the postseason, obviously you’re not going to play a perfect game,” James said. “But the more that you make mistakes on top of mistakes, on top of mistakes — things that can be controlled — then it’s not going to give you an opportunity to be in the best possible chance to win.”

Better ball control and improved execution in transition and half-court sets will be vital if the Lakers want to head back to Los Angeles with the series tied 2-2.

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Sunday’s Game 4: A True Tone-Setter

With the stakes escalating, Game 4 will be pivotal. A Lakers win evens the series and restores home-court opportunity; a Timberwolves victory would push them one win away from advancing. In a series already filled with fireworks, expect Sunday to add another thrilling chapter.