FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Timberwolves - Game 64

FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Timberwolves – Game 64

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (30-34) | Minnesota Timberwolves (33-32)

 

As the NBA season winds down, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a critical loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-102

Friday night in Los Angeles is was Lakers vs Timberwolves

The Los Angeles Lakers lost despite receiving a stellar performance from Anthony Davis. Davis finished the game with 38 points (12-for-22 FGs, 2-for-4 3s, 12-for-14 FTs), five rebounds, and two blocks. The Lakers big man dominated the first quarter scoring 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting. However, with Rudy Gobert pressuring him all night, Davis coughed up the ball six times.

“Someone shouldn’t have to tell you to be locked in,” Darvin Ham went off on the Lakers’ lack of urgency, energy, and effort. “We do basketball for a living. We’re not digging ditches all day.”

Also a huge factor in the loss, LeBron James was evaluated by Lakers‘ team physicians and medical staff. It was determined that he sustained a right foot tendon injury and will be re-evaluated in approximately three weeks. The news was a massive blow to a team trying to make a push for the playoffs.

The chances of making the playoffs for the Lakers could be determined before James’ return. This loss to eighth-place Minnesota begins a vital stretch of Los Angeles’ season with 9 of their next 11 games at home. Los Angeles is 5-3 since they made various acquisitions at the deadline.

Lakers vs Timberwolves had LeBron James, D’Angelo Russell, and Anthony Davis out for. 

An additional inactive was D’Angelo Russell, who has now missed the last four games. Without Russell, the playmaking has spiraled as the Lakers could benefit from having another playmaker on the court.

The first half of the Lakers vs Timberwolves game

Dennis Schroder did all he could as the team’s primary playmaker, totaling 12 assists with zero turnovers. However, he could not create for himself, finishing with just six points on 3-for-13 shooting and 0-for-4 from distance.

Ham said that Schroder’s ankle was not an issue, and he gave credit to Jaden McDaniels for “causing problems” offensively, “It was just a tough matchup.” 

Also, for the Lakers, Malik Beasley was the only starter other than Davis to score in double-digits. Beasley finished with 15 points (5-for-11 FGs, 3-for-6 3s) and eight rebounds. Lonnie Walker IV had 10 points (4-for-9 FGs, 2-for-6 3s) and five rebounds off the bench.

For the Minnesota Timberwolves, Gobert led the team with 22 points (8-for-12 FGs, 6-for-10 FTs), 14 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. Anthony Edwards totaled 19 points (7-for-16 FGs, 5-for-8 3s), five rebounds, four steals, two blocks, and five turnovers. 

Mike Conley produced 14 points (6-for-11 FGs, 2-for-6 3s), six rebounds, and three assists. Off the bench, Taurean Prince had 13 points (4-for-11 FGs, 1-for-5 3s, 4-for-4 FTs), four rebounds, and four assists. Naz Reid also had 15 points (6-for-12 FGs, 3-for-6 3s), eight rebounds, and two steals.

The end of the first half of the Lakers vs Timberwolves game

The Lakers were within three points in the fourth quarter after they trailed by as many as 14. However, Minnesota got five straight points from Conley to pull away.

The second half of the Lakers vs Timberwolves game

Troy Brown Jr. and Beasley, who combined for seven triples in their last game, opened a combined 3-for-3 against the Timberwolves, with Brown Jr. hitting two.

The Lakers struggled to find many looks offensively, and they suffered as they shot 32.3 percent from beyond the arc (10-for-31) and 41.9 percent from the field (36-for-86).

Back-to-back 3s from Davis and Beasley gave the Lakers some life with 6:52 to play, trimming Minnesota’s lead to 97-90.

The Lakers lost a critical game against an opponent above them in the standings to drop to 30-34. The Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 54-47 in the second half. Up next are the Golden State Warriors.

Ham thought the Lakers needed to get downhill more, saying they were going “east and west” and dribbling too much, “At times, it felt like we were playing in the mud.”

“Too many times, I felt like our energy was off. Our effort was off in certain plays,” Ham said. “We didn’t seem to have any urgency. They had that urgency. We didn’t.”

The final score of the Lakers vs Timberwolves game was 110-102 Minnesota.

The Lakers return to the Crypto.com Arena to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday, March 3rd, at 7:30 p.m. PT. The game is on Spectrum SportsNet, NBA League Pass, and Bally Sports North.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Jake on Twitter @jguchi_

Follow Jake on Instagram @jguchi_

Follow The Franchise on social media

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube