Momentum Shift: Inside the Lakers Game Two Victory Against the Timberwolves
The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off an excellent defensive performance in their nine-point win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves scored 117 points in Game One and were held to just 85 in Game Two. After the first quarter in Game One, it was a seven-point game with the Timberwolves leading in Game Two, the Lakers switched that around and led after one. The Lakers held the Wolves down to just 15 points in the quarter.
Luka Doncic and LeBron James led the Lakers. Both stars played better on both sides of the ball. Doncic went from having one assist in Game One to nine in Game Two, almost finishing with a triple-double. James almost finished with a triple-double and played more aggressively at the beginning of the game, setting the tone. Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent were among the trade targets the Lakers went after before the trade deadline. Both players came up big guarding and rotating on the Timberwolves' starting five. In Game Two, they provided the spacing and fast break possessions the Lakers needed to keep up with the Wolves.
The Lakers held down many of the Timberwolves' key players, including Naz Reid, who got into early foul trouble, and Donte DiVincenzo. Reid was baited into foul trouble by Doncic with his crafty ball fakes. This was great because it took Reid out of the game early in the first quarter, which allowed Doncic to take full advantage on offense. Every player in the Timberwolves' starting five, except for their two stars, had a drop-off because of the Lakers' defense in Game Two. Reid had the most significant drop-off, scoring 23 points in Game One to just nine in Game Two.
While the assists and free throws were key statistics that led to the Lakers' victory, they need to improve their three-point shooting. As much as Minnesota struggled, Los Angeles tied them percentage-wise and shot the ball just seven percent better. The Lakers also let the double-digit point lead slip away in the second half. A few missed shots or turnovers, and we could have seen the tide turn completely and the Timberwolves steal a win.
By the end of the game, I took away just how easily this game could have been lost despite the Lakers' impressive defensive performance. Finney-Smith needs to score more, Vincent needs to score more, and even Austin Reaves needs to score more. He averaged 20 points per game during the season and hasn’t scored 20 points yet during the postseason. The Lakers' role players have to help an older James and a newly acquired Doncic offensively if the Lakers want to get the series over with quickly.
