Timberwolves-Lakers Play-in Preview With Ben Beecken, Locked On Wolves

The Lakers haven't exactly been razor sharp over the last three or four games, but overall have gotten the job done. They have, to use Darvin Ham's words, stacked up wins en route to a seventh place finish in the West that would have seemed improbable six weeks ago. LeBron James looked great in Sunday's finale, Anthony Davis seems healthy, and the team is expected to be fully intact for the first time all year on Tuesday. Meanwhile, on Sunday Minnesota lost forward Jaden McDaniels to a broken hand sustained punching a wall in their season finale vs. New Orleans, and then center Rudy Gobert punched Kyle Anderson in a sideline huddle, and has been suspended by the team. Is Gobert that big a loss, given his shaky health and cratering reputation? Might the Wolves be better off without him, given the matchups (even while missing backup center Naz Reid, who was already out with a broken wrist)? Can the Lakers exploit the absence of McDaniels, who is easily Minnesota's best defender? Was the beatdown the Lakers put on the Wolves a few games back an aberration, or a sign of things to come? To answer these questions and more, we welcome Ben Beecken, host of Locked On Wolves for a return visit to the show. It's not quite do-or-die time for the Lakers, but "doing" would help them get a few days of badly, badly, BADLY needed rest before a first round matchup against the Grizzlies this weekend in Memphis. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with guest Ben Beecken! SEGMENT 1: What exactly is going on with the Wolves right now? Are they going to circle the wagons and come out fighting, or collapse under the strain? We've got questions for Ben. SEGMENT 2: Ben turns it around. How has D'Angelo Russell played? Is he an x-factor? What has changed for the Lakers since the deadline? SEGMENT 3: Predictions. Who wins, and why. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! HelloFresh Skip trips to the grocery store and count on HelloFresh to make home cooking easy, fun, AND affordable – that’s why it’s America’s #1 meal kit! Go to HelloFresh.com/nba60 and use code nba60 for 60% off plus free shipping! eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let’s ride. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. Ultimate Pro Basketball GM To download the game just visit probasketballgm.com or look it up on the app stores. Our listeners get a 100% free boost to their franchise when using the promo LOCKEDON (ALL CAPS) in the game store. PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices