Lakers vs. Timberwolves Prediction Tonight: Game 3 Odds, Expert Picks & NBA Playoff Preview
Following an embarrassing effort on their home court in Game 1, Los Angeles cranked up the defensive intensity to even this series at one game apiece, and our Lakers vs. Timberwolves prediction looks at whether LeBron James and Co. can replicate that effort on the road tonight.
The Lakers opened as 2.5-point underdogs, but the spread has been moving in the Timberwolves' favor, and they now sit at -3 or -3.5. Tipoff from Target Center is expected at 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN), and both our best sports betting sites and NBA fans are anticipating another low-scoring affair after Game 2 ended with just 179 points.
Our NBA picks are banking on a tightly contested showdown, but who will come out on top and take a 2-1 series lead?
📡 How to watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves live today (Game 3)
📅 Friday, April 25
🕗 9:30 p.m. ET
📍 Target Center (Minneapolis)
📺 ESPN | 🛜 ESPN+
💡 Lakers vs. Timberwolves expert picks for Game 3
✅ Against the spread pick: Lakers +3.5 (-115 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐
✅ Moneyline pick: Timberwolves (-148 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Under 206.5 (-115 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐
🎯 Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 3 prediction
Score prediction: Timberwolves 102, Lakers 100
🏀 Game 3 preview & best bet
These teams didn't play any slower in Game 2 for it to feature 33 fewer points. In fact, Game 2 actually came with a higher pace rating, and the Lakers finished with only a marginally worse offensive rating in that second game compared to the first, which makes sense since they scored nearly the same number of points.
The lack of scoring was mostly due to the Lakers cranking up the defensive intensity. After the Timberwolves shot 51% from the floor and 50% from three on 42 attempts, they managed to make only 38% of their field-goal attempts and shot 20% from beyond the arc. There was a dramatic drop in volume from deep for Minnesota, too, which attempted only 25 3-pointers compared to 42 in Game 1.
So, the Lakers now know the recipe, but can they repeat that performance?
I'm obviously skeptical about how successful Los Angeles will be, as you can tell by the score prediction. But I'm far more confident we'll see that similar level of intensity lead to this game going Under the total.
Of course, I don't expect fewer than 180 total points again, but there's a significant difference between that number and the 207 needed here to clear this mark.
BetMGM is alone among our best NBA betting sites while offering a total this high, as the next-best option is 206 at bet365.
✅ Best bet: Under 206.5 (-115 via BetMGM)
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⛹️ Top NBA player prop for Lakers vs. Timberwolves
🔎 Our NEW NBA player prop odds tool can help you find the best NBA odds across legal sportsbooks in your area!
🔥 LeBron James Over 6.5 assists ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
LeBron had much more of an impact as a facilitator in Game 2, racking up seven assists to the three he managed in the loss. We'll continue to see him trend in that direction with the series shifting away from Los Angeles.
The Lakers superstar will want to get his teammates involved early in enemy territory, which will also help him save his energy for the second half.
This total opened at 5.5, and we're seeing the Over shortening even now at 6.5. Make sure you get these +125 odds at bet365, as the next-best price is +116 through FanDuel.
✅ Best odds: +125 via bet365 ($10 to win $12.50)
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🚀 Best same-game parlay (SGP) for Lakers vs. Timberwolves
🧪 Want to build your own SGP? Use our parlay calculator to find the best odds for any same-game parlay.
📈 Lakers vs. Timberwolves odds for Game 3
Live updated odds from our best sports betting sites.
🪧 Game 3 opening odds
Opening odds via BetMGM.
- Spread: Lakers +2.5 (-110) | Timberwolves -2.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Lakers +110 | Timberwolves -133
- Over/Under: Over 208.5 (-110) | Under 208.5 (-110)
🚑 Lakers vs. Timberwolves injury report for Game 3
Follow the official NBA injury report for more injury news.
🏀 Best NBA Playoffs predictions & expert picks today
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- Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 3 prediction
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💵 Best NBA betting sites
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