Lakers vs Timberwolves: No LeBron, No Edwards as Rivalry Renewed in Minneapolis

When the Los Angeles Lakers step onto the court at Target Center on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, they won’t have LeBron James. The Minnesota Timberwolves won’t have Anthony Edwards. And neither team will have its usual identity. What’s left is a rare, stripped-down Western Conference clash — no superstars, no signature fireworks, just grit, depth, and a betting line that no one can agree on.

Conflicting Lines, Confused Bettors

The odds for this game are a mess. DraftKings has Minnesota as 7.5-point favorites. CBS Sports reports the same. But WagerTalk TV says the Lakers are favored by 3.5. Meanwhile, iHeart Sports SD insists the Timberwolves are 6.5-point favorites. The money line is even more telling: Minnesota at -290, Los Angeles at +233. That’s a huge swing for a game where both teams are 2-2, and both are missing their best player.

It’s not just the lines that are conflicting — it’s the logic. The Timberwolves are 4-6 in their last 10 games, including a 127-114 loss to Denver just days ago. Their defense, once the hallmark of coach Chris Finch’s system, is leaking points like a sieve. The Lakers, meanwhile, just crushed them 128-110 on October 25 — without Edwards on the floor, and with a star putting up 49 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. That game was a statement. But now, even that star is gone.

No Edwards. No LeBron. No Luka.

Let’s be clear: Anthony Edwards isn’t just the Timberwolves’ leading scorer — he’s their engine, their closer, their identity. His absence until mid-November 2025 leaves Minnesota without its most dynamic offensive weapon. And while LeBron James hasn’t played this season due to rest and minor injury management, his leadership and playmaking are still missed. Even Luka Dončić — who doesn’t even play for the Lakers — was mentioned in headlines as a red herring, but his inclusion shows how confused the narrative has become.

The real story here? The Lakers’ October 25 win came with a full roster. Now, they’re missing their captain, their floor general, and their most reliable closer. The Timberwolves are missing theirs. So who’s really favored? The team with home-court advantage but a broken offense? Or the road team with deeper bench depth and a recent win under their belt?

History Says One Thing. Data Says Another

The franchises are tied 31-31 in 62 all-time meetings. But here’s the twist: the Lakers have covered a +12.5 point spread on the road against Minnesota in seven of their last eight matchups. That’s not a fluke. That’s a pattern. Even when they’re underdogs, even when they’re banged up, they find a way to hang around.

And then there’s the SportsLine Projection Model. It’s not just a fancy algorithm — it’s a betting powerhouse. Over the past seven seasons, it’s generated over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on top NBA picks. This season alone, it’s 161-120 on all top-rated picks and 24-11 on against-the-spread plays. It’s simulated this exact matchup 10,000 times. The model doesn’t care about headlines. It cares about lineups, pace, defensive efficiency, and historical tendencies.

The average total in Lakers-Timberwolves games? 213.84 points. The current over/under? Between 225.5 and 229.5. That’s a 15-point gap. Either the models are wrong, or the market is overreacting to the absence of Edwards and James. But the data suggests the game will be slower, tighter, and lower-scoring than the books want you to believe.

What This Means for the West

Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning. The Timberwolves are trying to prove they can win without Edwards. The Lakers are trying to prove they can survive without LeBron. This game isn’t just about wins and losses — it’s about identity. Who steps up? Who takes responsibility? The Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns has been inconsistent. The Lakers’ Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell are being asked to carry more than ever.

And here’s the quiet truth: the team that plays smarter, not harder, will win. The Lakers have shown they can grind out wins with defense and ball movement. The Timberwolves have shown they can’t stop anyone when Edwards isn’t there to cover the gaps.

What’s Next?

If the Lakers cover this spread — even as underdogs — it could signal a turning point. Their depth, coaching, and recent win over Minnesota suggest they’re more resilient than the odds imply. If Minnesota wins outright, it’s a sign their bench is ready to carry them through Edwards’ absence.

Either way, this game will be a litmus test. Not for stars — because they’re gone. But for role players. For coaches. For the soul of two franchises trying to redefine themselves without their biggest names.