Wolves vs. Lakers Game 3 Playoffs Preview: Start time, television plan

Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers – game 3
Date: April 25, 2025
Time: 20:30 PM CDT
Location: Goal
TV reporting: ESPN & FAN Duel Spots Network
Radio cover: Wolves app/iheart radio

Preview of game 3: Can Minnesota regain his offensive river?

The Minnesota Timberwolves disturbed the narrative in game 1 and powdered the Los Angeles Lakers with physicality and shooting, while their explosive crime illuminated the flames of excitement in Minnesota. It was a dominant performance that turned the story of the Timberwolves upside down, important outsiders.

In game 2, however, we saw a completely different team with a complete departure from the ball movement when the team leaned strongly at the isolation for their offenses. It was an ignorant exertion that annulled an enormous defense performance.

The good news? The Timberwolves stole the Lakers Home Court and are back to Minnesota to put LA into a strangle.

The Timberwolves season 2024-25 is very similar to a roller coaster in its local theme park. Up and down with unpredictable corkscrew, which made it incredibly difficult to measure the team. In the best case, the Timberwolves are an explosive crime under the direction of 23-year-old superstar Anthony Edwards and an suffocating defense with an incredible depth that is able to systematically remove their hopeful opponents. ”

After a disappointment in game 2, the narrative has already withdrawn to the Lakers occupied with stars. But the matter with the Timberwolves is that Minnesota, when the national perspective begins, tends to react.

Let us go back on the track in game 3.

Kiyoshi MiO-Mimagn pictures

It starts with Anthony Edwards

Minnesota goes as Anthony Edwards. In game 1, Edwards dismantled the defensive of the Lakers surgically and collected nine assists when the Timberwolves made an open look for an open look. In game 2, Edwards ended for the first time in three years without a single assist.

That can’t happen again.

Too often, Edwards hesitated either from a single game against Luka Dončić. You need Edwards to take advantage of the matchup and penetrate into defense. When Edwards decided to go, he easily blew past Dončić to put pressure on the defense of the Lakers.

After game 2, Edwards spoke about how confusing the defense of the Lakers was, and it showed. Ant has to play determined and bring the defense into a breakdown. If you can get more penetration in game 3, the entire crime will open.

Less isolation, more ball movement

If I could describe the Timberwolves offensive in one word on Tuesday evening, I was overwhelming too “stagnant”. Julius Randles Bully Ball was the only source of the Timberwolves that has reliable crime when he watched his way to 27 points when shooting 9/17. Although it was crucial to contain the flood, the stagnating crime and the ISO-high-quality game made it possible for the Lakers to insulate themselves with a base zone against below-average defenders.

Without consistent penetration or ball movement, the Timberwolves did not miss the Lakers to collapse their defense and find open shooters.

The Timberwolves have to play more determined basketball and use false adjustments.

Check the boards

On the way to the series, rebounding for Minnesota was a clear advantage. After the All-Star break, Minnesota was the league’s top-level team by the league by draining the impact share to 17th place.

The roles were reversed in game two when the Lakers Minnesota exceeded and won the battle on the glass 41-34. The Lakers often decided to switch to Rudy Gobert, and Gobert replied to the challenge.

The disadvantage of Rudy, who accepts the challenge of the scope, is that Minnesota’s best rebounder is taken out of the position of the glass to give the lower -sized front placements of the Lakers a chance to extend it.

Minnesota must correspond to the intensity of LA on the glass and help for Rudy if he accepts the challenge of Luka, LeBron and Austin Reaves.

Can Minnesotas make “others” an influence?

The top 8 rotation of the Timberwolves is one of the most talented in the entire league and offers a bank trio in Naz Reid, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Donte Divincenzo, all of which could begin in most teams. The trio combined 17 points in 5 to 18 shootings in game 2, where early bad difficulties fell off Naz Reid and Donte Divincenzo.

It won’t cut it.

The Timberwolves need their bank to get back on the track and win their minutes.

Jaden McDaniels, are you there?

McDaniels followed a 25-point breakout game 1 with disappointing 8 points in the 3:11 shoot. Jaden McDaniels is the Timberwolves’ defensive breaker.

In two games, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves spent most of the time to guard McDaniels, and with his 6-11 frame they want to see more aggressiveness to attack their cheap matchup. The ball movement from Minnesotas Stars Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards is crucial to put Jaden into the position of punishing defense.

Since Rudy is switched to the scope, you have to absorb McDaniels as a rebounder to limit the second chance points.

Conclusion – you have defended well, can you find the consistency offensive?

Minnesota has kept the Lakers 94 and 95 points in the series so far. The defense has again translated into the post -season, but inconsistencies have offensive Minnesota play with fire.

Anthony Edwards must find his rhythm in the series and the superstar, of whom we all know that he is capable of. Minnesota has a better depth and legitimate matchups that you can take advantage of LA, but the wolves continue to show signs of immature that bring the dynamics of the team to a standstill. While it is not yet to be done or dies, Minnesota has the opportunity to take control of this series this weekend. Can you maintain your serenity and do not do it?

Turn on on Friday evening when the wolves strive for a 2-1 series.