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As soon as once more the Los Angeles Lakers discovered themselves in a recreation that they desperately wanted to win, clutching victory with one hand hoping that the opposing group would fall off of the cliff first. That’s actually a path to a 108-102 extra time victory towards the Minnesota Timberwolves who had been lacking each Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels, and whose Anthony Edwards was taking part in by means of a shoulder damage that he suffered through the recreation.
The Lakers higher form up rapidly as subsequent spherical they’ll face a younger Memphis Grizzlies’ group, whose protection is best, whose finest participant is wholesome, and has home-court benefit.
Timberwolves raining down 3s
For the primary three quarters, the Lakers ran right into a buzzsaw. Minnesota scored 86 factors in three quarters capturing at a blistering charge from three. By the tip of the sport, of the Timberwolves’ 16 made 3-point baskets solely the ultimate three got here in the fourth quarter — none in extra time.
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With Edwards injured and Karl Anthony-Towns refusing to punish smaller Lakers defenders on a night in which he went 8-of-12 from the field, the Timberwolves went into a dry spell midway through the fourth quarter. That cold stretch is what allowed the Lakers to regain the lead for the first time since the first half.
It wasn’t simply a collapse by the Timberwolves that resulted in their shooting going as cold as the temperature outside of their home arena in February. Anthony Davis was ferocious on defense, especially in the final two periods of play. He got his hands on the basketball in the paint and contested every shot that was feasibly within his reach. That aggression did almost cost the Lakers when Davis was called for a defensive foul on a Mike Conley 3-pointer with less than 0.5 seconds remaining in the game. However, without him locking down on defense the Lakers are likely hosting another play-in game on Friday night.
Certainly the Lakers should be proud that they gutted out this victory. Combine that with having the second-best record in the NBA since the All-Star break — all of those wins coming after the trades — and maybe it’s reasonable to consider the Lakers a contender.
That sample size, though, is only 23 games. During that time the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, and Timberwolves had significant success against them from the 3-point line. With their loss to the Bulls on March 26, an overtime battle against the Jazz last week, and a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers the next day, this hot Lakers team still had to participate in the play-in tournament. The 3-point line in those games has hurt this team that has played great defense since the deadline. They also have struggled to create offense in important moments. An example would be the fourth quarter, and most of Tuesday night’s play-in game. While the Timberwolves managed to score only 12 points in the fourth quarter, the Lakers weren’t exactly singeing the nets with their 19 points.
What has carried the Lakers lately is an improved defense that is ranked fourth in the NBA since the break. The Grizzlies have the second-best defensive rating in the league for the entire season. Also their Defensive Player of the Year candidate — Jaren Jackson Jr. — is having the best offensive season of his career averaging 18.6 points per game on 50.6/35.5/78.8 shooting splits. He is the third option behind star Ja Morant, and Desmond Bane who can be having a profession 12 months on offense.
Remodeling their roster has made the Lakers a way more formidable group than they had been in early February. The issue although, these early struggles have resulted in them being matched up towards a younger group with brisker legs and a few essential playoff video games below their belt. The brand new and improved Lakers not solely haven’t performed in any playoff collection as a gaggle, however have appeared susceptible down the stretch.
The remainder between Tuesday’s win and their recreation on Sunday ought to do wonders for the Lakers. That being mentioned, when the ball suggestions off in Memphis the Lakers had higher play like they did in most of March, and never how they’ve crawled to the end line in current weeks.
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