LeBron James will be playing in his 288th playoff game when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of tonight's Western Conference quarterfinal series.
As James has matured, his postseason production has seen a lot more playmaking, and his assist counts have risen over the last decade.
I look to LeBron’s ability to make those around him better with my best NBA picks and Timberwolves vs. Lakers predictions on Saturday, April 19.
Who will win Timberwolves vs Lakers Game 1?
Books have Los Angeles installed as a short 4-point home favorite in Game 1. Oddsmakers are giving the Timberwolves a lot of respect for the way they ended the schedule. Minnesota finished on an 8-1 SU run and I could see the T-Wolves stunning L.A. in the opener, especially with Anthony Edwards taking those odds to heart.
“Yeah, I just love it — it’s dope,” Edwards told the media when asked about the Lakers being favorites. “I love the fact that everybody wants the Lakers to win. That’s how it’s supposed to be. They don’t want the Timberwolves to win. I get it.”
Timberwolves vs Lakers prediction
My best bet: LeBron James Over 6.5 assists (-125 at bet365)
“Playoff LeBron” has been more of a facilitator in his “golden” years, with his assists average above eight helpers per game in the playoffs going back to the 2015 postseason in Cleveland.
Last year, his playoff appearances were limited to just five games, in which James dished out 8.8 assists an outing from 14.0 potential assists in those matchups with the Denver Nuggets.
LeBron James finished the 2024-25 regular season averaging just over eight assists, but those numbers took a bit of a dive after the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Luka Doncic. From February 10 to the end of the regular season, LeBron’s assist output slimmed to just 6.6 per game with he and Luka sharing a lot of the ball handing duties.
That’s where you’ll find James’ assist total for Saturday’s Game 1, listed at 6.5 Over/Under. That’s been the common bar for his assist props in the past 10 games, with James going Over his assist totals (between 6.5 and 7.5 O/U) in six of those contests.
Down the home stretch, James showed his flare for playmaking again and recorded seven or more assists in 11 of his final 16 games. He boasted an average of 11.6 potential assists in those contests.
In his three games against the Minnesota Timberwolves this year, James has posted five, six and eight assists against one of the better defensive clubs in the league. The Timberwolves did, however, finish 17th in assists allowed per contest (26.1) and gave up 111 points to Los Angeles in the one meeting with Luka and LeBron (six assists in 37:26).
Player projections for Saturday’s Game 1 in La-La Land have James’ assist total ranging from 7.0 and 7.6, with my number at 7.4 dimes. That should have the Over 6.5 assists around -145 for LeBron, rather than the current vig of -125.
Timberwolves vs Lakers same-game parlay
LeBron James 7+ assists
Julius Randle 15+ points
Minnesota Timberwolves +4.5
James’ assists have trended higher in the postseason over the past 10 years and projections call for at least seven dimes.
Julius Randle came to play against his former club this season, scoring 16 or more points in all three of his matchups with the Lakers.
The Timberwolves enter the postseason with a ton of momentum and aren’t afraid of any team after last year’s deep playoff run.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Timberwolves vs Lakers odds
Timberwolves vs Lakers live odds
Timberwolves vs Lakers opening odds
- Spread: Minnesota +4 (-110) | Los Angeles -4 (-110)
- Moneyline: Minnesota +150 | Los Angeles -180
- Over/Under: Over 216.5 (-110) | Under 216.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Timberwolves vs Lakers spread and Over/Under analysis
- Oddsmakers installed the Lakers as opening 5-point home favorites and that has been bet down to -4 with play on the underdog.
- The Over/Under total started at 217.5 points and is down to 216.5 O/U with some initial opinions on the Under.
- According to Covers Consensus, 63% of picks are laying the short spread with L.A. while 60% of total picks are taking the Over.
Timberwolves vs Lakers trend
Minnesota is 7-5 SU and 8-3-1 ATS when set as an underdog of five or fewer points this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Lakers.
How to watch Timberwolves vs Lakers
| Location | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California |
| Date | Saturday, 4-19-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ABC |
Timberwolves vs Lakers latest injuries
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