The Win Meter favors the Lakers at home against the Timberwolves on Friday, April 9, at about 61%. That is a real edge, but the Timberwolves are far from out of it.
How the Win Meter reads
The Win Meter reads the Lakers 61%, with a projected score of Minnesota Timberwolves 113, Los Angeles Lakers 116. The rating gap is 23 points in favor of the Timberwolves, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Lakers on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 39 times in 100 games like this, the Timberwolves would win.
Recent form
The Timberwolves are 3-1 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +7.6. The Lakers are 3-0 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +2.2.
The Timberwolves' best recent win was 131-106 on the road against MIA.
The Timberwolves were beaten 139-109 at home by SAS not long ago.
The Lakers' best recent win was 127-105 at home against GSW.
The Lakers were beaten 131-108 at home by OKC not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Timberwolves score 122 a game and allow 105. The Lakers score 128 and allow 115. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 118.5 for the Timberwolves and 116.5 for the Lakers, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Timberwolves' offense is the stronger unit against the Lakers' defense.
The Lakers should find points against the Timberwolves' defense, which has been giving up 105.
Injuries to watch
Out: Donte DiVincenzo (MIN), expected back Apr 2, 2027, Cameron Carr (LAL), and Adou Thiero (LAL), expected back Oct 28, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Walker Kessler (LAL). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the series is even, with the Timberwolves outscoring the Lakers by an average of 2.1 points per game. The last meeting was MIN 106, LAL 120.