{"id":135057,"date":"2025-04-18T06:30:22","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T10:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=135057"},"modified":"2025-04-18T04:42:17","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T08:42:17","slug":"wolves-lakers-playoff-series-preview-the-bench","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/18\/wolves-lakers-playoff-series-preview-the-bench\/","title":{"rendered":"Wolves-Lakers Playoff Series Preview \u2014 Part Two: The Bench"},"content":{"rendered":"

After delving into the starters<\/a> for each of these teams, today the attention is on the reserves. Minnesota boasts a duo of dynamic scorers and two elite ball-stoppers, while Los Angeles brings wing defense and streaky shooters into the mix. Although the Lakers held an advantage in the starting lineups, it looks likely that the Wolves depth could be a playoff series-changer for them.<\/p>\n

Wolves-Lakers Playoff Series Preview \u2014 Part Two: The Bench<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Backup Big<\/b><\/h3>\n

Minnesota: Naz Reid<\/a> (14.2 PTS, 6.0 REB, 2.3 AST)<\/p>\n

Los Angeles: Dorian Finney-Smith<\/a> (7.9 PTS, 3.6 REB, 1.4 AST)<\/p>\n

At first glance, this seems like an easy advantage for Minnesota. When Rudy Gobert<\/a> or Julius Randle<\/a> has to rest, the Wolves can insert the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. Reid is a threat from deep (37.9%) and handles the rock with deft that defies his size. Although he hasn\u2019t been quite as dominant as last season, Reid still ranks among the top five in odds<\/a> by some sites to win the award again. His scoring off the bench will be critical for the Wolves to win the minutes with Gobert and\/or Randle riding the pine.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Lakers trot out another midseason trade<\/a> acquisition. Finney-Smith, who came over from the Nets back in December, is a rangy wing who can space the floor and defend at a high level. His primary task will be to offer a different look for LA when Jaxson Hayes<\/a> is on the bench. With Finney-Smith out there, Gobert will be drawn away from the hoop and be forced to space out to defend the three point line. It\u2019s up to Minnesota\u2019s front court to punish the Lakers for playing small, but if Finney-Smith is hitting his threes at a high clip, look out. Still, Reid is a more complete player, and takes a slight edge for the Wolves at this spot.<\/p>\n

The Streaky Shooter<\/b><\/h3>\n

Minnesota: Donte DiVincenzo<\/a> (11.7 PTS, 3.7 REB, 3.6 AST)<\/p>\n

Los Angeles: Gabe Vincent<\/a> (6.4 PTS, 1.3 REB, 1.4 AST)<\/p>\n

DVincenzo arrived in Minnesota last fall fresh off a great playoff performance with the New York Knicks. In 13 playoff games<\/a>, he averaged nearly 18 points per game on 42.5% from deep. He had hoped to move into a starting role, but when the trade was made to bring him West, he found himself on one of the deepest benches in the league. His season started slow, but since the calendar flipped to 2025, he is shooting 43.8<\/a>% from long range. If he can keep up this mark in the playoffs, his impact should rival that of last year.<\/p>\n

The Lakers shooter off the bench is the former Heat man, Vincent. Never a consistently great three point shooter, he is the definition of streaky. In a limited role this season, he still managed to put together 16 games<\/a> in which he made at least three triples. In those 16 games, LA won 14 of them. If he puts together multiple of these games throughout the series, he could swing the result in the Lakers direction. Regardless, DiVincenzo has a bigger role, and his consistent ability to knock down shots give Minnesota another bench advantage.<\/p>\n

The Versatile Defender<\/b><\/h3>\n

Minnesota: Nickeil Alexander-Walker<\/a> (9.4 PTS, 3.2 REB, 2.7 AST)<\/p>\n

Los Angeles: Jarred Vanderbilt<\/a> (4.1 PTS, 5.1 REB, 1.1 AST)<\/p>\n

This slot features two very different players tasked with similar duties: shut down the other team\u2019s best scorer. Alexander-Walker does this by fighting through screens and pressuring full-court. Vanderbilt counters with length, strength, and hustle. They also both serve as likely replacements for the weakest link in their respective starting lineup. If Minnesota point guard Mike Conley<\/a> can\u2019t effectively guard Austin Reaves<\/a>, Alexander-Walker will play as the makeshift playmaker and use his size to slow Reaves. If Lakers forward Rui Hachimura<\/a> isn\u2019t making his threes, then Vanderbilt\u2019s defense will take priority over Hachimura.<\/p>\n

On the offensive side of the ball, Alexander-Walker is an effective spot-up shooter, while Vanderbilt thrives in the dunker\u2019s spot. Either could provide a spark, but it seems more likely to be the Wolves wing who has a breakout game. Alexander-Walker scored in double digits 36 times<\/a> while playing in all 82 games for Minnesota, highlighted by a season high 26 points in a double overtime thriller against Denver. On the other side, Vanderbilt only scored 10+ twice<\/a> in 36 games. For Vanderbilt to have a greater impact than Alexander-Walker in this series, he must shut down Wolves star Anthony Edwards<\/a>. The former teammates went at it earlier this season, and if Vanderbilt can slow Edwards, the Lakers\u2019 chances to win rise enormously. More likely, Alexander-Walker\u2019s combination of three point shooting and defense help Minnesota on the path to victory. With just one slot left, Minnesota\u2019s bench is clearly proving to be an area of strength.<\/p>\n

\n

Here's the little altercation at the end of the first quarter between Jarred Vanderbilt and Anthony Edwards, who both received technical fouls.<\/p>\n

Edwards is now one tech away from a one-game suspension. pic.twitter.com\/StpU1K3F34<\/a><\/p>\n

— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) February 28, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n