Lakers @ Timberwolves Game 4 Preview
The Lakers’ backs are against the wall as they are in danger of falling back in the series 3-1 today in Minnesota.
Today is a must-win game as it would tie the series up, along with the series heading back to Los Angeles for Game 5. Los Angeles came up short in Game 3 but are looking to change those results today.
LeBron James led the team in scoring in Game 3 as he finished with a game-high 38 points, but it wasn’t enough to lead the team to a victory.
Luka Doncic was bothered by a stomach bug throughout the evening and did not look like himself as he only finished with 17 points on 6-16 shooting. Reaves was much better from three-point range, finishing 5-11 from deep with 20 points.
Minnesota has been led by their star Anthony Edwards. Edwards has been electric this series and finished with 29 points in Game 3. The contributions from Jaden McDaniels have proven to be game-changing in this series.
He finished Game 3 with a team-high 30 points. With the Lakers in a must-win mentality, here are their keys to victory.
LET’S TIE THIS SERIES UP 😈 https://t.co/65pn5dLhT7 pic.twitter.com/GPFSDPmLBp
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) April 27, 2025
Playing Physical
After Los Angeles fell in Game 1, the common theme in the locker room postgame was that the team was not physical enough. Then Game 2 arrived, and the Lakers took advantage of Minnesota’s early foul trouble, adjusting their defensive style when Edwards got the ball.
The Lakers have been starting Jaxson Hayes to match with the size of Rudy Gobert, but Hayes has been a non-factor in this series. Yes, he is younger and quicker than Gobert, but he doesn’t have the offensive game to match up with Gobert.
Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt have been the two role players off the bench who have contributed defensively when matching up with bigs, as they also have the ability to switch onto smaller guards as well. They need better effort from Hayes and more physicality to win this game.
Luka Doncic Effect
Doncic has played in many big games in his young career, and this is another one of those games. He is not on the injury report heading into Game 4, so he seems to be feeling a lot better than he did in their last game.
The Lakers need the Doncic that they got in Games 1 and 2, where he finished with 31 and 37 points. If they can get the consistent shot-making and passing from Doncic, the team will be in better shape to turn things around.
Game 4 tips off today at 12:30 PST as the Lakers look to tie the series up heading to Los Angeles.
