NBA playoffs Lakers vs. Timberwolves recap: Los Angeles evens series in ugly Game 2
Going off the box score, it was a runaway 94-85 win for the Los Angeles Lakers. And yet, they still have plenty to work on.
The Lakers took Game 2 of their first-round series on Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves to even the series as it heads to the Twin Cities. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday at the Target Center at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The Lakers took a double-digit lead in the first quarter and maintained a lead of at least nine points for the rest of the game, but it was paradoxically a frustrating game, one that left head coach JJ Redick cursing them out in the fourth quarter as the Timberwolves made it a game.
Los Angeles overwhelmed Minnesota on defense, with LeBron James leading a renewed effort at the point of attack, while James and Luka Dončić combined for 52 points and 16 assists. They got the matchups they wanted, most notably Dončić against Rudy Gobert at the perimeter, but their strategy encountered diminishing returns as the Timberwolves adjusted and shook off some foul trouble.
It was overall an ugly game, with the two teams combining to go 11-of-54 from 3-point range with 46 fouls (and 45 free throw attempts). Minnesota had multiple chances to make L.A. really sweat in the fourth quarter, but their only consistent player of the night was Julius Randle.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Jaden McDaniels, Mike Conley, Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker combined to go 8-of-26 from the field. Even Anthony Edwards was a bit off, scoring 25 points on 10-of-22 shooting.
Neither coach seemed happy with their team during the game, but the Lakers at least got the win. The question now is if they can take a more free-flowing game, in front of a hostile crowd in Minnesota.
Here’s how it all went down at Yahoo Sports:
