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LA Lakers (2-2) at Minnesota (2-2)
- When: Oct 29 2025, 9:30 PM
- Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- TV: ESPN
LA Lakers vs Minnesota Preview & Prediction
Spread: Minnesota -7.0
Moneyline: Minnesota (-275)
Total: 224.0
Minnesota Timberwolves Outlook
The Timberwolves are once again entering survival mode, or as Coach Chris Finch calls it, “creative chaos.” With Anthony Edwards sidelined by a hamstring injury, Finch has turned his offensive playbook into a mad scientist’s lab. The centerpiece of this experiment? Julius Randle, the man built like a tank but now being used like a Swiss Army knife.
Finch has Randle running pick-and-rolls, initiating plays at the elbow, posting up, and probably brewing the team’s pregame coffee at this point. The strategy has paid off, somewhat. Randle dropped 31 points in a win over Indiana and followed that up with 24 against Denver. Without Edwards, Minnesota’s offense resembles a chaotic group project where Randle does 80 percent of the work and everyone else just nods in approval.
Still, the Wolves’ defense remains their backbone, and with Edwards out, expect a gritty, grind-it-out approach. Finch might not have his star scorer, but he’s got enough length, muscle, and caffeine to make life difficult for anyone who steps into Target Center.
Los Angeles Lakers Outlook
The Lakers are holding tryouts for who’s left standing at this point. LeBron James is out with sciatica, Luka Doncic is nursing a finger sprain and leg bruise, and the team’s injury report is starting to read like a CVS receipt. JJ Redick is running out of healthy bodies and maybe patience.
Enter Austin Reaves, who has suddenly transformed into the Lakers’ accidental superstar. He dropped 51 points on Sacramento, followed by 41 against Portland, which begs the question: is this real life, or is Reaves running on pure chaos energy? JJ Redick says he’s taken on a “leadership role,” which in Lakers terms means “trying to prevent total collapse.”
Meanwhile, Jaxson Hayes and Marcus Smart are questionable, which might be the most optimistic thing to happen to LA this week.
NBA Prediction
This matchup feels like two hospital wards trying to outscore each other. Minnesota has the depth, home court, and slightly less broken roster, while the Lakers’ strategy seems to be “give the ball to Reaves and hope he doesn’t combust.”
Expect some wild possessions, a few airballs that defy physics, and Randle barreling into defenders like a fullback with a grudge.
Final Score: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 107
Lean: Minnesota -7.0
Total: Under 224.0
- NBA Basketball Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
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