Ex-Lakers star picks the Timberwolves as favorites for the series

Three games into the LA Lakers - Minnesota Timberwolves playoff series, there is little to choose between the two teams. The Timberwolves hold a 2-1 lead, having won both of their home games, but the Lakers possess the offensive firepower to challenge any team in the league.

It’s one of the most finely-poised match-ups of this year’s NBA Playoffs round one and D’Angelo Russell is well-placed to opine on the favorites. Russell spent three years with the Timberwolves from 2020 to 2023, before a year with the Lakers. He left LA to rejoin the Brooklyn Nets in December 2024 and spoke to ‘The Backyard Podcast’ about the series.

“I think Minnesota can beat anybody,” Russell began. “Obviously the best teams in the league are in the playoffs right now, so they could also lose to the Lakers and [the Lakers] could go on to win the whole thing.”

“But I do think that Minnesota is a team that, if they beat the Lakers, they can really shock the world... They got the talent and I love their bench, the bench is really a key component in the playoffs.”

Pressed for a winner, D’Angelo was at pains to point out the strengths of both teams. The Lakers are still getting used to life with both Luka Doncic and LeBron James on the floor and there is a sense that the team could suddenly click in the postseason.

“But the Lakers might mop them, so I’d tell everyone that anything could happen... I think Minnesota has the defenders to make it tough for LA,” the one-time All-Star explained.

“But Ant [Edwards], Jaden [McDaniels], Rudy [Gobert], Mike [Conley]. They got so many bodies... I’m going with Minnesota!”

The series resumes on Sunday (3:30pm ET, 12:30pm PT) with a third game at the Timberwolves’ Target Center. Minnesota will head into the game with some momentum from Friday’s victory but the Lakers can retake control with a road victory. It’s all to play for.

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