Below is a running diary of the Lakers’ matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with comments drawn from Mike Trudell’s @LakersReporter Twitter account, to ensure you’re covered from start to finish.
First Quarter
No. 1 overall pick Karl Anthony-Towns has 3 FG’s for Minnesota, and Kobe hit another shot (3 for 3) to make it a 17-15 MIN lead early.
Julius Randle is doing whatever he wants since checking in, needing just 3 minutes to score 9 points (4 of 6 FG’s) with 2 boards.
LAL are shooting 68.2%, yet trail 39-37, as the Wolves are at 60% themselves and LAL have 2 more turnovers. Randle’s up to 11 points.
Second Quarter
LAL’s 2014 Draft class playing well again, with Clarkson scoring 10 points on 6 shots and Randle 11 on 8 as LAL trail 47-45.
Nance, Jr. has had his hands full with Karl Anthony Towns, who’s scoring at will in the paint with 15 points on 7 of 11 FG’s plus 8 boards.
Lots of offense, not so much D for either team. LAL shot 60% and MIN 59%, the Wolves holding a 59-57 lead at the break.
Third Quarter
Kobe isn’t getting quite the same elevation on his jumper, and missed his first 2 shots of the 3rd Q. A 9-4 Wolves run has them up 7.
Randle returns at the 6:08 mark, LAL down 73-68. Hibbert has 8 points in the 3rd Q, while Towns is up to 19 and 12 for Minnesota.
D’Angelo Russell started to get cooking late in the third, keying a 9-4 run with 5 straight points himself. LAL trails 84-81 after 3.
D’Angelo #GoLakers 4th quarter now on @TWCSportsNet | @TWCDeportes https://t.co/S7uKq1OgE2
Fourth Quarter
Russell and Randle helped LAL start the 4th on an 18-10 run, but 2 missed Randle FT’s and Martin’s 3 got Minnesota within 2 at 99-97.
Kevin Martin’s on fire in the 4th Q for Minnesota, hitting 4 3’s towards 12 of his 32 total points in the game, putting MIN up 102-99.
This is the first time Kobe hasn’t closed a game; not much of a surprise as he tightened up in the 1st half and left w/a few minutes in 2nd.
D’Angelo for 3 … his career high builds to 21 points, 11 of them in the 4th Q, his latest 3 coming to beat the clock w/Rubio all over him.
Kevin Martin took a tough shot with Lou Williams defending, and missed. LAL get the ball back, down 114-112, with 08.5 seconds left.
D’Angelo Russell … good, off glass. Tie game at 114, 02.2 left.
‘Angelo! #GoLakers 4th quarter @TWCSportsNet | @TWCDeportes https://t.co/yTWdoYW1N2
Overtime
Julius Randle spun around Wiggins and scored at the rim to tie the score at 119. He has 19 points, 11 boards in 30 minutes. 1:38 to play.
Consecutive buckets from Young for LAL and Wiggins for MIN, the Wolves going up 123-121 with 40.4 left. LAL ball after Randle’s O board.
Rubio wasn’t able to get close and LAL will have the ball, down 1, with 9.4 on the game clock. Time out, Lakers, who will advance the ball.
Scott let Russell create a shot going for the game winner, and he got a look from 18 feet but missed wide. Wolves win, 123-122 in OT.
