Zach Thompson details his best player prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Friday’s game between the Timberwolves and Lakers.
In the second game of Prime Video’s doubleheader on Friday night, the Timberwolves roll into Los Angeles to take on the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers lost their season opener on Tuesday to the Warriors, while the Timberwolves knocked off the Trail Blazers in Portland on Wednesday.
For the Lakers, LeBron James (sciatica) and Maxi Kleber (abdominal) are out while Jaxson Hayes (knee soreness) is questionable. The Timberwolves are healthy with only Rocco Zikarsky (face mask) on the injury report as available.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, Minnesota is slightly favored by 1.5 points, with the game total set at 226.5 points. In addition to the main game line, DraftKings Sportsbook has numerous player prop best for Friday’s Western Conference matchup. In this post, I’ll take a look at a few of my favorites. Let’s dive in:
Best Timberwolves vs. Lakers Player Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Rui Hachimura over 1.5 three-pointers (-163)
I had Rui to hit multiple threes in my 3-point props for Tuesday, and I’m going back to the well after he drained three of them in the season opener. The Lakers will still be without James, leaving Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic to carry most of the scoring load. Hachimura can contribute some points from long range as well, especially in drive and kick situations.
He hit three threes in his first game this season after averaging 1.9 3PM in 14 games after the All-Star break last season, kicking that up to three 3PM in each of his five playoff games. In his five games without LeBron available last year during the regular season, Hachimura made 2.2 three-pointers per contest.
While the odds for this player prop are shorter than the player props I usually highlight, I have a lot of confidence in it and like mixing it into SPG or SPGx as a sweetener.
Jaden McDaniels Points + Rebounds + Assists Over 19.5 (-103)
McDaniels had a great opener in Portland, racking up 18 points, five rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and a steal in 29 minutes. Even after 25 PRA (Points + Rebounds + Assists) in the opener, he only has to get to 20 PRA to go over this line on Friday night.
Last season, McDaniels averaged 12.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and two assists, each of which set a new career-high. He looked sharp in the preseason and the opener, and it looks like he’ll continue to be a key contributor on both sides of the ball for Minnesota this season.
McDaniels was actually originally drafted by the Lakers, but was flipped to the Thunder and then to the Timberwolves, where he has played his entire career. In his last two regular-season meetings with the Lakers, he had 27 and 24 PRA while playing 37 minutes in each contest. In the postseason, McDaniels had at least 30 PRA in three of the five games in their series, averaging 25.2 PRA per contest.
While last year could be considered his breakout year, McDaniels has even more upside to realize in 2025-26.
Deandre Ayton Points + Rebounds + Assists under 23.5 (-120)
The Lakers added Ayton as part of their plan to replace Anthony Davis at center. On Friday, he’ll have to go head-to-head with Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid, who form a formidable front line for Minnesota.
Ayton had some strong showings this preseason, but was very quiet in the opener. Despite playing 34 minutes against the Warriors in an up-tempo game, he only had 10 points, six rebounds, and no assists for 16 PRA.
Since the Timberwolves will be another tough defense inside, Ayton may struggle to eclipse his over/under of 24 on Friday. I like him to finish under the total, especially if Jaxson Hayes is able to play through his knee soreness.
Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards to combine for 60+ points (-111)
Luka had 43 points in 41 minutes against the Warriors, and Edwards had 41 points in 39 minutes against the Trail Blazers. While it’s unlikely they each go for 40 again, they should continue to draw heavy usage and could get into a high-scoring back-and-forth showdown in what could be an early-season statement game for either team.
Last year, in the five games in their playoff series, they combined for 59, 56, 46, 81, and 43, but it’s critical to remember that LeBron was playing in that series and taking a lot of usage. James’ absence opens the door for the two star guards to combine for 60 points.
Either could shoulder most of the load themselves with another 40-point performance, or they could evenly split the work at somewhere around 30 each.
By using this combo prop, you’re creating more paths to victory and diversifying just a little bit, instead of focusing on just one player to do all the work to hit the prop.
