The Minnesota Timberwolves are demonstrating that last season's Conference Finals run was no mere fluke, leading their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers 3-1. A pivotal contributor to this success is backup center Naz Reid, who is averaging 13.8 points on an impressive 55.9% shooting, including 52.4% from three-point range, along with 4.3 rebounds in just under 25 minutes per game. Reid's strong performance has also led Lakers coach J.J. Redick to bench Jaxson Hayes for nearly the entirety of Game 4.

Reid, who earned the Sixth Man of the Year award for the 2023-24 season, credits his growth to Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, highlighting the faith Finch has shown in him. This two-way player has become a nightmare for opponents, making him a fan favorite in Minnesota after rising through the ranks from an undrafted rookie in 2019. If the Timberwolves can clinch the series, they will face the winner of the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets matchup in the second round, with a pivotal Game 5 set to take place at Crypto.com Arena.

The Minnesota Timberwolves face a pivotal moment as they square off against the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Lakers trailing 3-1 in the playoff series, this game is crucial for their postseason hopes. Historically, overcoming a 3-1 deficit is rare, with only 13 instances in NBA history, the last being the 2020 Denver Nuggets. The Timberwolves have a solid road record and have been performing well, winning 13 of their last 20 games away from home. Meanwhile, the Lakers are looking to leverage their home court advantage, boasting a 7-3 record in their last ten games at Crypto.com Arena.

The odds currently favor the Lakers, with a spread of -5.5, indicating that the betting community still believes in their chances. Expert picks suggest that despite recent struggles, the Lakers are poised for a strong performance, driven by their clutch players, including LeBron James. The Timberwolves, having gone 23-20 against the spread on the road this season, will need to deliver their best if they hope to advance past this round.

The Los Angeles Lakers face a critical Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, trailing 3-1 in the first round of the NBA playoffs. After a strong showing in Game 2, the Lakers faltered in Minnesota, losing both games at the Target Center. They now look to leverage home-court advantage, entering as 5.5-point favorites.

LeBron James will be pivotal in their efforts, having recently logged 27 points and 12 rebounds in Game 4, but he will need to exceed projections which suggest he may only grab 7.8 rebounds in Game 5. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards is on a scoring tear, coming off a 43-point performance, but projections indicate he may fall short of the 40.5 points plus rebounds plus assists mark. Mike Conley is expected to deliver more assists, with the model favoring the Over on his assists prop.

The San Antonio Spurs are primed for a transformative offseason, eyeing superstars like Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo as potential acquisitions. However, the team recognizes that adding just one high-profile player won’t suffice. Victor Wembanyama, the rookie standout, requires a reliable backup to bolster the squad. Current options like Zach Collins and Charles Bassey have shown inconsistency and injury concerns. Looking ahead, the Spurs should focus on three key targets: Brook Lopez, Derik Queen, and Naz Reid, each offering unique advantages to enhance the team's depth and competitive edge.

Lopez, though aging, brings experience and floor spacing that complements Wembanyama's playstyle. Queen, projected as a top center in the 2025 draft, could inject youthful energy into the lineup. Meanwhile, Reid, currently with the Timberwolves, represents a challenge to acquire but could significantly boost the scoring and defensive capabilities of the Spurs. Securing even one of these players could elevate the Spurs' bench to elite status, setting them up for a successful season ahead.

The NBA playoff action heats up as the Golden State Warriors aim to eliminate the Houston Rockets, leading the series 3-1. Houston's unique double-bigs approach featuring Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams has been their only successful strategy, proving effective in their recent games. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Los Angeles Lakers, with Anthony Edwards looking to secure his team's postseason advancement.

As the playoffs progress, the betting landscape is evolving, and CBS Sports will deliver daily picks throughout. For Game 5, experts suggest betting on Steven Adams to surpass 6.5 rebounds given his pivotal role in Houston's strategy. Conversely, Austin Reaves of the Lakers is struggling against the Timberwolves' defense, prompting a recommendation to bet under 18.5 points for him.