The Los Angeles Lakers attacked the Minnesota Timberwolves out of the gate in Sport 1 of their playoff sequence. After one quarter, the Timberwolves smacked them again manner tougher.
After Luka Doncic and the Lakers’ hot start , the Timberwolves surged within the second quarter and by no means seemed again in a 117-95 Sport 1 victory on Saturday. The Wolves led by 11 factors at halftime after Donte DiVincenzo‘s buzzer-beater 30-footer, then opened the third quarter on an 11-0 run to firmly seize command of the sport.
The Lakers rallied within the third quarter, however by no means obtained nearer than 12 factors for the ultimate 23:45 of Sport 1. Doncic scored 37 factors, however delivered solely a single help on an evening when his crew had simply 15, in opposition to 13 turnovers. LeBron James scored 19 factors however had solely three assists.
Minnesota merely seemed quicker than the Lakers, getting 25 fast-break factors. The Timberwolves broke a crew playoff report by making 21 of their 42 threes. That is a bit fortunate, however lots of these three-pointers have been extensive open because the Lakers struggled to get out on shooters.
Anthony Edwards distributed the ball effectively, logging 9 assists to go together with his 22 factors. Jaden McDaniels was remarkably environment friendly on offense, scoring 25 factors on 11-of-13 capturing and gathering 9 boards. The Lakers had no reply in any respect for Naz Reid, who scored 23 factors off the bench and made six triples.
Reid and the Timberwolves’ bench outscored the Lakers’ reserves, 43-13. The Lakers shot underneath 40 p.c as a crew, and the reserves shot 26.3 p.c.
The Timberwolves’ stress protection is one thing the Lakers should clear up, however the difficulty they’ll instantly clear up is getting again on protection. After all, one method to cease quick breaks is to make your photographs so the opposite crew cannot run.
Whereas the Timberwolves have seized home-court benefit, there’s numerous sequence to go. The Lakers are going to wish to play full video games to beat them.
