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Wolves-Lakers Playoff Series Preview — Part Two: The Bench

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After delving into the starters 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.

Wolves-Lakers Playoff Series Preview — Part Two: The Bench

The Backup Big

Minnesota: Naz Reid (14.2 PTS, 6.0 REB, 2.3 AST)

Los Angeles: Dorian Finney-Smith (7.9 PTS, 3.6 REB, 1.4 AST)

At first glance, this seems like an easy advantage for Minnesota. When Rudy Gobert or Julius Randle 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’t been quite as dominant as last season, Reid still ranks among the top five in odds 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.

Meanwhile, the Lakers trot out another midseason trade 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 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’s up to Minnesota’s 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.

The Streaky Shooter

Minnesota: Donte DiVincenzo (11.7 PTS, 3.7 REB, 3.6 AST)

Los Angeles: Gabe Vincent (6.4 PTS, 1.3 REB, 1.4 AST)

DVincenzo arrived in Minnesota last fall fresh off a great playoff performance with the New York Knicks. In 13 playoff games, 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% from long range. If he can keep up this mark in the playoffs, his impact should rival that of last year.

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 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.

The Versatile Defender

Minnesota: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9.4 PTS, 3.2 REB, 2.7 AST)

Los Angeles: Jarred Vanderbilt (4.1 PTS, 5.1 REB, 1.1 AST)

This slot features two very different players tasked with similar duties: shut down the other team’s 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 can’t effectively guard Austin Reaves, Alexander-Walker will play as the makeshift playmaker and use his size to slow Reaves. If Lakers forward Rui Hachimura isn’t making his threes, then Vanderbilt’s defense will take priority over Hachimura.

On the offensive side of the ball, Alexander-Walker is an effective spot-up shooter, while Vanderbilt thrives in the dunker’s 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 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 in 36 games. For Vanderbilt to have a greater impact than Alexander-Walker in this series, he must shut down Wolves star Anthony Edwards. The former teammates went at it earlier this season, and if Vanderbilt can slow Edwards, the Lakers’ chances to win rise enormously. More likely, Alexander-Walker’s combination of three point shooting and defense help Minnesota on the path to victory. With just one slot left, Minnesota’s bench is clearly proving to be an area of strength.

 

The Rookie

Minnesota: Jaylen Clark (4.1 PTS, 1.3 REB, 0.7 AST)

Los Angeles: Dalton Knecht (9.1 PTS, 2.8 REB, 0.8 AST)

Both coaches would probably like to keep their playoff rotation to eight players, but in the case of foul trouble or seeking a spark, these two first-year guards need to be ready. Knecht played more games than any other Laker this season. Clark only joined the rotation halfway through the season. One excels on the offensive side. That is Knecht, who knocked down threes at a 37.6% clip. The other is Clark, a defensive specialist, who won NCAA Defensive Player of the Year two seasons ago at UCLA, before missing his entire first NBA campaign with an Achilles injury. Their skillsets are uniquely positioned to be impactful specifically in this series. LA will try to space the floor to minimize Gobert’s impact around the rim. Minnesota needs all the perimeter defenders they can get to slow LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Neither the Wolves nor Lakers would like to rely on rookies to win a playoff series, but it could come down to a few important minutes.

 

One stat that clearly tips the scales in favor of Knecht is minutes per game. Although he is a rookie, he played five years in college, so JJ Redick trusts him with big minutes. Clark is still raw offensively, and can be prone to fouling. This led to a major discrepancy in minutes per game, Clark lagging behind, 13.1 to 19.2. This simple fact makes it probable that Knecht will have a greater impact on the than Clark. Despite this advantage, Minnesota’s six through eight roster spots are loaded with talent, and should give the Wolves a boost when James, Doncic, and Reaves inevitably need some rest.

Photo credit: © Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The post Wolves-Lakers Playoff Series Preview — Part Two: The Bench appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.