Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers – NBA Playoffs Round 1, Game 3 – April 26, 2025 – Target Center

The Timberwolves took care of business in Game 1 and now return to Minneapolis with a golden chance to go up 2-0 against a Lakers squad that’s still trying to find its playoff rhythm. Tip-off for Game 3 is set for April 26, 2025, at Target Center—where Minnesota will look to keep the momentum rolling.

Timberwolves Rising

Minnesota’s depth and defensive grit were on full display in Game 1. Anthony Edwards was the standout star, combining elite shot creation with active defense, while Rudy Gobert anchored the paint and made life tough for LA’s bigs. The Timberwolves’ bench also outperformed expectations, helping them maintain a consistent edge.

Meanwhile, the Lakers looked out of sync. LeBron James and Anthony Davis put up decent numbers, but LA struggled with spacing and turnovers. Darvin Ham may need to make a rotation tweak to generate better perimeter looks.

Betting Breakdown

There’s definite value to be found in this matchup, especially for bettors seeking expected value betting (EV betting) angles. While the Lakers remain a public favorite, Minnesota’s consistent two-way play gives them underrated potential in adjusted spread markets.

Bettors using an offshore sportsbook or crypto betting site can often find better odds, especially on high-profile playoff matchups like this. If you’re sharp enough to identify small discrepancies between platforms, there’s even room for arbitrage betting here—especially with live betting swings based on early game momentum.

Final Prediction

The Timberwolves are locked in. With home court and a confidence boost from Game 1, they’re in a prime position to extend their lead. Unless LA gets a vintage performance from LeBron and an offensive resurgence from their role players, Minnesota has the edge.

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