Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round matchup between the Lakers (3) and Timberwolves (6) is massive, as Luka Doncic and LeBron James look to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole.
Friday night’s statement win by Anthony Edwards and Minnesota in Game 3 came in spite of an incredible performance by James.
His 38 points on 13-of-21 shooting (5-of-9 3PT) weren’t quite enough on a rough night by Doncic (at least by his standards), as Edwards (29 points) and Jaden McDaniels (30) took over down the stretch.
Now, the question is whether the Lakers can find a way to send the series back to Los Angeles tied at 2-2.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 4 Betting Odds
How to Watch Lakers vs. Wolves Game 4
- Tipoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: ABC
Lakers vs. Timberwolves Series Winner Odds
- DraftKings: LAL +165; MIN -200
- FanDuel: LAL +176; MIN -210
Best Lakers vs. Timberwolves Player Props
Anthony Edwards Player Props for Lakers vs. Wolves Game 4
Minnesota’s star point guard is coming off one of the most impressive playoff performances of his career in Game 3, which he finished with 29 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
Below are his points, rebounds and assists props at DraftKings and FanDuel for Game 4:
Anthony Edwards Points Prop (O/U)
- DK: 28.5 (o-105; u-125)
- FD: 28.5 (o-108; u-122)
Anthony Edwards Assists Prop (O/U)
- DK: 5.5 (o+100; u-130)
- FD: 5.5 (o+108; u-144)
Anthony Edwards Rebounds Prop (O/U)
- DK: 6.5 (o-105; u-125)
- FD: 6.5 (o+112; u-148)
Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 Assists (+108 at FanDuel) — 1 unit
Barring another awful shooting night by the Timberwolves like the one we saw in Game 2, Edwards is a great bet to clear this line.
He averaged just 4.5 assists per game this year. He had nine dimes in Game 1 and eight more in Game 3, though, and the Lakers don’t have anyone who can reliably guard him 1-on-1 for extended minutes.
Even after Edwards’ success finding the open man on Friday night, the Lakers are likely going to continue to send help at a player who scored 34 points or more four times in the final seven games of the regular season.
Including this series, in Edwards’ last nine home playoff games dating back to the Wolves’ first-round sweep of Phoenix a year ago, he’s had at least six assists in 6/9.
And across 30 total career playoff games to date — including the 2022 and 2023 postseasons following his age-20 and age-21 campaigns — he boasts a playoff average of 5.5 assists per game.
His assists line in this game is likely low due to not only his season average of 4.5 apg, but also because in seven games against the Lakers this year, he’s only recorded at least six assists on two occasions.
Still, unless the Lakers suddenly decide they’re OK letting Edwards get his offensively, he is going to once again be able to find open shooters in this game.
So, as long as Naz Reid and Co. are not frigid from 3-point land on their home floor, I expect Edwards to exceed 5.5 assists with ease.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 4 Pick
Call me a prisoner of the moment, but I’m not picking against Edwards and the Timberwolves at home after their dominant finish on Friday night.
LA and Minnesota were tied at 103 apiece with 4:37 to play, but Edwards took over in the final minutes, and the Wolves ended up winning 116-104.
Given the short turnaround from Friday’s slugfest, which Doncic struggled through while battling a stomach bug, the young home favorites should be the fresher side on Sunday afternoon.
That’s especially true given that James logged 41 minutes on Friday night in his spectacular (but also draining) 38-point, 10-rebound performance.
And remember, James was just one of four Lakers players who played at least 38 minutes in Game 3. Doncic (40 minutes), Austin Reaves (41 minutes) and Rui Hachimura (38 minutes) also played nearly the entire game on Friday night.
While we (obviously) shouldn’t rule out another huge game by James and/or a bounce-back from Doncic — who may or may not be fully recovered from the stomach ailment that plagued him in Game 3 — another close win by the younger, more athletic Timberwolves feels like the most likely result in Game 4.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 4 Best Bets:
- Timberwolves -3 (-110 at DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365) — 1 unit
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