Timberwolves vs. Lakers Prediction: Game 5 Odds & Expert Picks
It's been a rough start to the NBA playoffs for the Los Angeles Lakers, who enter Game 5 on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV) against the Minnesota Timberwolves down 3-1.
While our Timberwolves vs. Lakers prediction expects Los Angeles to hold on for at least one more game, our NBA picks anticipate this being a low-scoring, tight contest with Minnesota positioned to cover as 5.5-point underdogs.
💰 Timberwolves vs. Lakers expert picks for Game 5
🔎 Our NEW NBA player prop odds tool can help you find the best NBA odds across legal sportsbooks in your area!
✅ Against the spread pick: Timberwolves +5.5 (-106 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
✅ Moneyline pick: Lakers (-220 via BetRivers) ⭐⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Under 209.5 (-105 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🏀 Game 5 prediction & best bet
🎯 Score prediction: Lakers 106, Timberwolves 102
Despite entering the playoffs among the NBA championship odds favorites, the Lakers have looked discombobulated through the first four games of the first round.
Los Angeles couldn't contain Anthony Edwards in the second half of Game 4, ultimately blowing a lead and being one loss away from Luka Doncic spending the next month sipping beers instead of making Nico Harrison look even sillier than he already does for trading the star.
As the NBA playoffs got started, we highlighted why the Lakers are a bad bet to win it all as part of our NBA championship odds breakdown, pointing to the team's lack of continuity and the fact that JJ Redick is in his first season as bench boss.
Those issues have come to light in the opening round, with L.A. averaging just 101.5 PPG in the series and seeing the team's field goal percentage drop from 47.9% in the regular season to 44.3% against the Timberwolves.
That's a credit to Chris Finch's defense, which ranked sixth in rating (111.5) and fifth in points allowed per game (109.3) in the regular season. With the Wolves being top 10 in field goal percentage allowed (46%), 3-point percentage allowed (35.3%), and made free throws allowed (15.7), Redick has struggled to get consistency out of his non-star players.
Minnesota's defense has the tools to continue slowing the Lakers to keep this total Under, with four players ranked in the top 25 in defensive win shares. While Los Angeles has been inconsistent on the defensive end throughout the year, the Lakers are 23-20 betting the Under at home, including in the opening two games of the series.
While Edwards is coming off a 43-point showing, Minnesota failed to crack 90 points the last time it was on the road in this series and is averaging just 108.5 PPG against the Lakers in the first round. The Lakers and Timberwolves have already combined to hit the Under in six of eight total matchups this season.
✅ Best bet: Under 209.5 (-105 via Caesars)
Caesars is a 21+ product
📈 Timberwolves vs. Lakers odds
Live updated odds from our best sports betting sites.
🪧 Game 5 opening odds
Opening odds via BetMGM.
- Spread: Timberwolves +5.5 (-105) | Lakers -5.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Timberwolves +195 | Lakers -235
- Over/Under: Over 210.5 (-110) | Under 210.5 (-110)
🚑 Timberwolves vs. Lakers injury report
Follow the official NBA injury report for more injury news.
📡 How to watch Timberwolves vs. Lakers live (Game 5)
📅 Wednesday, April 30
🕗 10 p.m. ET
📍 Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles)
📺 TNT, truTV | 🛜 Max
💵 Best NBA betting sites
Ready to bet on the NBA playoffs? Check out the best NBA betting sites and best sportsbook promos for today's games:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
Related Articles
