Timberwolves vs. Lakers prediction, odds, key players to watch for NBA opening night

The Los Angeles Lakers look to snap a seven-game losing streak on opening night when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday to kick off the 2024-25 NBA season.

There are plenty of storylines in this matchup, starting with the Lakers and the father-son duo of LeBron James and Bronny James.

At some point in the first few weeks of the season, the duo will play a game together, a historic moment in NBA history.

LeBron will be 40 years old during the 2024-25 season and yet he is coming off another impressive season where he played over 70 games. Can the Lakers get back to the playoffs with new coach JJ Redick?

Other than signing Redick and drafting Dalton Knecht, the Lakers didn’t change their roster much during the offseason. Therefore, they will rely on a lot of internal improvements – and better coaching – to make a jump in the Western Conference.

As for Minnesota, it traded away Karl-Anthony Towns a month early in the season for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, a shocking move for a team fresh off a Western Conference Finals berth.

The Wolves enter Tuesday’s game as slight favorites on the road, but can they snap the Lakers’ opening night losing streak?

Here’s a breakdown of the odds, key players to watch, injuries and my prediction for Lakers-Timberwolves.

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Propagation

Moneyline

total

Timberwolves injury report

Lakers injury report

Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards: A star on the rise, and arguably one of the top 10 players in the NBA, Edwards led the Wolves to the Western Conference Finals last season, averaging 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per match. If Edwards continues his rise to stardom, the Wolves should be back in the mix in the West this season.

Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James: how does it James will turn 40 in 2024-25, but is coming off an Olympic MVP and a season in which he shot a career-best percentage from beyond the arc. Not only that, but James joins his son, Bronny, in the 2024-25 season.

Personally, I love the Towns trade from Minnesota’s perspective as they added depth after losing Kyle Anderson to free agency this offseason.

DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are two elite pieces for any team, and the addition of Randle is intriguing.

He may not be the shooter that Towns is, but he’s a better creator who could take the ball-handling pressure away from Anthony Edwards. Does that set up Edwards and some of Minnesota’s shooters for more open looks?

That remains to be seen, but these Wolves have plenty of elite wings on defense and a backcourt loaded with Ant, DiVincenzo, Mike Conley and first-round pick Rob Dillingham.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are picking things up and hoping LeBron and Anthony Davis stay healthy, as they did last season, for an entire campaign.

I think Redick will introduce some interesting offensive concepts for the Lakers, but I’m not convinced they’ll win this game.

Minnesota should be a better defensive team again this season, and the Lakers are relying on too many role players who weren’t good enough for them to finish higher than seventh in 2023-24.

I’ll take the Wolves to extend Los Angeles’ losing streak on Tuesday.

Selection: Timberwolves Moneyline (-122)

Odds are updated periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Find Peter Dewey’s NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily works BetStamp here.