Best first-round NBA playoff matchups
The For The Hoops crew discuss the most exciting first-round NBA playoff series, including Lakers vs. Timberwolves and Rockets vs. Warriors.
The Los Angeles Lakers will look to bounce back from a disappointing series-opening home loss when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night in Game 2 at Crypto.com Arena.
The No. 6-seeded Timberwolves shot a scorching 50% from 3-point territory (21-of-42) in their 117-95 rout on Saturday night. Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Anthony Edwards all topped the 20-point mark as Minnesota snatched the home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series.
The Lakers, can’t depend on Luka Doncic (37 points in Game 1) to do it all if they want to even the series heading back to Minneapolis. Coach JJ Redick was emphatic that things will need to change in Game 2. “I’m not sure physically we were ready, if that makes sense,’’ Redick said. “When they started playing with a lot of thrust and physicality, like, we just didn’t respond.’’
Here’s how to watch Game 2 of the 2025 NBA playoffs first-round series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves:
The Lakers came out with a sense of urgency in Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday and led by as many as 19 points in the first quarter.
Luka Doncic is off to another red-hot start. He scored 16 of the Lakers’ 34 first-quarter points, shooting 4-of-7 from the field, 2-of-4 from three and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. LeBron James added four points, while Gabe Vincent added six points off the bench.
Anthony Edwards leads the Timberwolves with six points (2-of-4 FG, 1-of-2 3PT). Julius Randle added five points.
Both coaches – the Lakers’ JJ Redick and the Timberwolves’ Chris Finch – met with reporters before Game 2.
Redick on the time off between Game 1 and Game 2: “It’s a luxury to have the extra day between games. We really took our time on Sunday with the defensive stuff, and we really took our time yesterday (Monday) with the offensive stuff and then we’ll have a little bit of time in between Games 2 and 3, so that’s good. And then it’s kind of full tilt after that every other day. So our staff, our players, they responded after Game 1, and hopefully we get great response.”
Finch on what to expect in Game 2 after making franchise playoff-record 21 3-pointers in Game 1: “We did a good job of moving, playing well off the ball, making the play, making the pass at the right time, understanding where the traffic was going to be. I don’t know what adjustments specifically to expect around that. Maybe they’ll stay home, maybe they’ll close out a little harder. I don’t know. We’ll just have to feel our way through it. We’ve seen a lot of different things and seen a ton of different looks this year.”
Timberwolves: Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels
Lakers: Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Jaxson Hayes, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura
What time is Lakers vs. Timberwolves?
Game 2 of the NBA playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves is at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 22.
LAKERS VS. TIMBERWOLVES GAME 2: Predictions, picks, odds for Tuesday’s NBA playoff games
How to watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 2: Time, TV, streaming info for NBA playoffs
- Date: Tuesday, April 22
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
- TV: TNT, truTV
- Stream: Max, Sling TV
Watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 2 with Sling TV
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