Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 5: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Despite being picked by many as dark horses for the NBA Championship, the Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of elimination after just four playoff games against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

A 1-1 split from the opening two matches in LA immediately put them on the back foot, and their trip to Minnesota went exactly how everybody expected. 

The Timberwolves won both games at the Target Center to move into a 3-1 lead and they can now head back to LA knowing that, even if they were to lose in California, they still have the upper hand in the series as a potential Game 6 would take them back to Minnesota. 

The Lakers, despite their star power, have struggled to find a way to stop the Minnesota offense and it is hard to see rookie coach JJ Redick coming up with the answers quickly enough for LA to cover a hefty -5.5 spread in Game 5, which will take place at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday. 

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 5 betting picks and predictions

Minnesota Timberwolves +5.5 (-110)

It's hard to fathom why the Los Angeles Lakers are -5.5 favorites for Game 5 of a series in which they have been a clear second-best. 

Their sole win came in Game 2 when the Timberwolves played like a side who were content with a 1-1 split from their trip to LA and the truth is Minnesota could have had this series wrapped up already. 

Anthony Edwards, who put up 43 points in Game 4, is having a field day against the Lakers. Los Angeles made the bold call to trade Anthony Davis and acquire Luka Doncic earlier this year and while that makes sense in the long run, it has massively hampered their defense for now. 

The Lakers now have no interior defense, with Jaxson Hayes looking well out of his depth at this level, and the defensive shortcomings of Doncic and Austin Reaves mean Edwards has got to the rim with ease throughout this series. 

The Lakers need an answer to that issue, as well as a few others, if they are to avoid exiting the playoffs on Wednesday but it is hard to envisage Redick coming up with a plan that quickly in his first season as an NBA coach. 

LeBron James will do his best to drag his team through this game and his never-say-die attitude could prevent a loss, but they certainly do not warrant a -5.5 spread. Even if they survive and force a Game 6, 40-year-old James and the rest of the Lakers played the entirety of the second half in a gruelling Game 4 and their fatigue will prevent them covering the spread.

Over 209.5 Total Points (-110)

Although there is plenty on the line for the Lakers, who will likely look to stifle Minnesota, it is hard to see anything other than a plethora of points being scored at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday. 

The Lakers cannot stop Edwards scoring and that is without mentioning his more-than-capable supporting cast. Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle have enjoyed themselves in this series while Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid are also capable of hurting such a weak defense. 

That is not to say the Lakers are lacking in offense, though. Doncic has been sensational in this series, with James and Reaves also chipping in with decent returns. So, the Over has to be the pick with so much attacking talent on show. 

There were over 209 points in 130 of this pair’s 164 combined regular-season games, and three of the four games in this series have gone above that total, too. 

Anthony Edwards Over 28.5 Points (-115)

Based on what was said in the reasoning for the first pick, this selection should come as a surprise to nobody. 

Edwards was simply unplayable in Game 4 and no matter what the Lakers tried, they could not stop him. He got to the rim with frequency and, with no interior presence there to meet him, he racked up the points. 

The Lakers resorted to fouling Edwards but he knocked down 14 of his 17 free-throws, making that another ineffective defensive strategy. Usually, the plan in this situation would be to try and force Edwards — who knocked down just under 40 percent of his threes in the regular season — into shots from deep, but even that is unlikely to stop the Timberwolves star from shining in LA. 

Edwards knocked down five of his 10 three-pointers in both Game 3 and Game 4, leaving the Lakers short of ideas on how to stop him. The Minnesota superstar has notched 29 or more points in seven of his last 11 games and should steal the show again. 

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Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers odds

Minnesota Timberwolves	+190 ML
Los Angeles Lakers	-230 ML
Spread	LA Lakers -5.5
Total points	O/U 209.5

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers player props

Player Points

Luka Doncic (LAL)	O/U 31.5
Anthony Edwards (MIN)	O/U 28.5
LeBron James (LAL)	O/U 26.5
Julius Randle (MIN)	O/U 20.5
Austin Reaves (LAL)	O/U 18.5
Jaden McDaniels (MIN)	O/U 13.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.