In the history of the NBA playoffs, there have been 288 instances in which a team was up 3-1 in a series – 275 of those teams advanced (95.5%), while only 13 (4.5%) were able to overcome the deficit.
In the 2024-25 NBA Playoffs, we have four teams trying to become the 14th team to make history: Lakers, Bucks, Pistons and Magic.
DK Sportsbook has the Lakers at +350 to accomplish the feat.
The Magic are at +5500, Bucks are at +1200 and the Pistons are at +1100.
So, the Lakers have this guy named LeBron James, who despite being 40 years old, is still one of the best players in the Association. Back in 2016, his Cavaliers team came back from 3-1 to win the championship over the Golden State Warriors, so his words of encouragement will have some street cred.
Los Angeles also has this guy named Luka Doncic, who is arguably a top five player in the league. In the series against Minnesota, Doncic is averaging 30.8 points, seven rebounds, five assists, one steal and 0.8 blocks in 42 minutes. And that’s despite dealing with a stomach illness in Game 3.
With two players who can literally Atlas their way to the mountaintop, the Lakers are always in play. This isn’t Sisyphean.
During the regular season, Minnesota was sixth in defensive rating. Rudy Gobert is the anchor while Jaden McDaniels has been magnificent on the perimeter. In the first two games of the series, Minnesota held Los Angeles to 95 and 94 points. The Lakers shot 39.8% and 45.3% from the field.
In the last two games, the Lakers have scored over 100 points in both while shooting 45% and 47.4% from the field. Adjustments were made. Unfortunately, Minnesota scored 116 points in both of those contests.
And therein lies the issue: the Lakers defense.
Out of the 16 teams in the playoffs, the Lakers are 14th in defensive rating. Jaxson Hayes has been unplayable, so there is no rim protector. Anthony Edwards has been dissecting like a surgeon. Jaden McDaniels has not only been playing great defense and hitting his shots, he’s been doing work on the glass.
That said, Minnesota went into Los Angeles and split the first two games, then took care of business at home. It’s not like the Lakers have been overmatched like the Miami Heat against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Lakers were in position to win Game 4.
The Lakers are favored by 5.5 points at home on Wednesday. If they win Game 6 in Minnesota, they come back home for a Game 7.
The odds are stacked against the Lakers for sure, but they aren’t out of it. They still have LeBron James and Luka Doncic while JJ Redick will likely make adjustments to the adjustments. As for the defense, it’s been an issue but there were times during the regular season when the Lakers were one of the better units.
This is why they play the games.
