LOS ANGELES — For the NBA romantics out there, for those who see the game as more than X’s and O’s on a white board and Defensive Real Plus-Minus on a spreadsheet, what is not to love about the first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves?

But of course, it won't be a cakewalk against Minnesota, with Anthony Edwards continuing to take his game to the next level. He's also surrounded by ample talent, including Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid and Mike Conley Jr.