NBA: Regardless of style, Lakers, Timberwolves know Game 3 is critical (2025)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) goes to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

If you ask Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick, no two NBA playoff games are the same.

One might be a low-scoring, physical affair. The next might be a shootout.

READ: NBA: Luka Doncic, Lakers muscle past Timberwolves to even series

It’s anybody’s guess how the pace will unfold when the Lakers tip off against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night in Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series. The teams split the first two games of the series in Los Angeles and now will play the next two games in Minneapolis.

After the Timberwolves took Game 1, the Lakers bounced back for a 94-85 victory in Game 2. Minnesota’s 85 points marked its lowest output of the season.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) drives against Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

“I’ve seen enough of these and been in enough of these that you can have these low-scoring games and low-offensive output games that are very physical,” Redick said. “And then all of a sudden, somebody starts making 3s, there’s a few turnovers that leads to a high-transition half, and somebody scores 120.

“That’s just kind of how basketball works. Every game is a little different. But I think the mentality from both teams is to have a rock fight.”

Anthony Edwards leads the Timberwolves with 23.5 points per game through the series’ first two contests. He is shooting 40.9 percent overall and 35.3 percent from deep.

READ: NBA: Lakers have some quick work to do after Game 1 blowout loss vs Timberwolves

Julius Randle (21.5 points per game), Jaden McDaniels (16.5) and Naz Reid (16.0) also are averaging double digits in scoring.

For the Lakers, Luka Doncic leads the way with 34 points per game in the series. He is shooting 50 percent overall and 38.9 percent from 3-point range.

LeBron James is averaging 20 points per game, followed by Austin Reaves (16 ppg) and Rui Hachimura (10 ppg).

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch conducted a film session with his players after Game 2. He told the team to focus on the next game and to embrace playing on their home court.

“We just told the guys, our performances in L.A. and the results out there, all we’ve done is earn the right to be able to be great at home,” Finch said. “That’s what we’ve got to do.

READ: NBA: Lakers aim to be more prepared for Timberwolves’ physicality

“We’ve got to come out with a big start (on Friday). It should be a lot of fun and get the series back in our advantage.”

Timberwolves guard Mike Conley said he and his teammates needed to play a sound, fundamental game after committing too many sloppy mistakes in their last game.

“Doing the easy thing can sometimes be the hard thing for us,” Conley said. “We just need to continue to do the easy reads, continue to make the quick decisions and (emphasize) communicating on defense.

“The stuff that we ask ourselves to do every single night, every single game, those are the things we sometimes slip up on. We try to do too much or try to overthink certain things and make it a little more difficult than it needs to be.”

On the Lakers’ side, James said he and his teammates needed to maintain their intensity on defense while finding ways to improve their efficiency on offense.

“We could still be better offensively,” James said. “… We’re going to continue to get better, continue to watch the film, see ways we can break down the defense and continue to get good looks.” –Field Level Media