Following a one-year hiatus, the Lakers are again within the playoffs. In time beyond regulation, they squeaked previous the Timberwolves, 108-102, within the No. 7 vs. No. 8 Play-In Event matchup on Tuesday evening and can face the second-seeded Grizzlies within the first spherical, starting this weekend.
On Friday, Minnesota will battle the winner of Wednesday’s Pelicans-Thunder recreation at residence for a playoff berth.
Los Angeles’ star duo, Anthony Davis and LeBron James, led the best way Tuesday evening. Davis was a menace defensively, significantly within the second half, and stymied Minnesota’s offense, whereas notching 24 factors, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, three blocks and two steals. James made some head-scratching selections (5 turnovers), however dropped 30 factors, 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal. Dennis Schroder added 21 factors off the bench and offered some welcomed paint strain.
Each offenses went chilly within the fourth, with a mixed 31 factors, which included two totally different scoreless droughts of greater than two minutes. A number of the credit score ought to go to every membership’s protection, although. The second scoreless stretch was snapped by this Schroder triple, a presumptive game-winner with just one.1 seconds remaining.
On the following inbounds play, Davis fouled Conley, who promptly drilled all three free throws to ship the sport to time beyond regulation.
LeBron: « It is unlucky that AD had a mind fart and messed his game-winner up. »
AD: « I messed his game-winner up I apologize. I positively apologize. » 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/khlMaLr5Rx
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 12, 2023
Within the further interval, Minnesota’s offense remained stagnant. The Timberwolves scored 60 factors earlier than intermission, however might solely muster 42 over the ultimate 47 minutes. The Lakers didn’t look significantly better, however did sufficient to finish the comeback win after trailing by double-digits for prolonged durations of the evening.
Minnesota clung to a 60-49 lead coming into the break, due to Karl-Anthony Cities’ 17 factors (5-of-5 taking pictures), together with a 9-of-17 displaying past the arc, headlined by veterans Mike Conley Jr. (3-of-3) and Taurean Prince (2-of-2). The Lakers protection was scattershot that half, however elected to modify the whole lot down the stretch of the sport and shut off the Timberwolves’ water.
Cities, who ended with 24 factors, spent a lot of the second half in foul bother, which quelled his aggression. The Lakers additionally made a aware effort to push his touches farther away from the rim. Anthony Edwards struggled mightily, scoring 9 factors on 3-of-17 taking pictures and lacking all 9 of his lengthy balls. Los Angeles siphoned off his driving lanes and compelled him into powerful jumpers.
Between the second half and time beyond regulation, Minnesota went 7 of 24 from deep and infrequently resorted to late clock prayers as its offensive rhythm dissipated.
The Wolves have an opportunity for redemption later this week, when Rudy Gobert is again within the fold after serving his one-game suspension for hanging Kyle Anderson throughout the Timberwolves’ victory over the Pelicans on Sunday.
