Lakers are counting on defensive domination to bounce against Timberwolves

Los Angeles – LeBron James, as he has done countless times in his career, saw an opening in defensive transition and rushed to the ball.

He did not know if he could catch the hyper-fast Anthony Edwards, but he at least wanted to try to make him adjust his dribble.

While Edwards was trying to dribble behind his back, the James strings caught up with him, with one of his patented hunted blocks replaced by a pivoted flight. James galloped in the other direction, passing in front of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Naz Reid for a lay-up for two of the 13 points of the fourth quarter of the Los Angeles.

The clutch basket postponed the two -digit Lakers’ advance – 92-81 – with 2:40 on the left. It was the whole cushion they needed to win a rock fight from match 2, 94-85, equaling their series at the first of the seven rounds with the Minnesota Timberwolves at 1-1.

“These were not the points at that time. It was the momentum,” said James about his flight and his basket. “This type of flight, this type of game, to be able to finish at that time, because they could have cut it to six, or a game of four points, they could have cut it to five. So, so that we pushed it back to a two-digit lead at that time with a little more than two minutes, I think it was very key.”

LeBron Big Steal & Backet at the end of 4th 👑 pic.twitter.com/huetkc1scx

– NBA (@nba) April 23, 2025

Because as they played for most of the match 2, the Lakers actually scored one point less than in match 1. Their attack stopped and barely crossed the finish line in the second period. But their defense, which set the tone early and often, appreciated a 32 -point swing from match 1 in match 2.. They held the Wolves at 85 points of the season – eight less than the lower of Minnesota of 93.

After a disastrous performance in match 1 at both ends of the ground, the Lakers were much sharper and took a 34-15 lead after the first quarter. They were physical defensively, putting pressure on the ball, actively changing and forcing the minnesota to catch passes or two further than expected. They were aggressive in their help and shade to Edwards to certain places on the ground, performing their match plan with great effect. Edwards raised nine assists and a turnover in match 1. He had no decisive step and two reversals in match 2. This completely changed the complexion of the Wolves offensive.

Minnesota could not find a rhythm. Wolves were never comfortable. Whenever they drove, there were several Lakers defenders. Each time a blow rose, several Lakers crashed on the glass, enveloping Rudy Gobert, Reid and Julius Randle.

There was no big fit. Lakers just played harder.

“We did the same match plan,” said Luka Dončić. “We haven’t really changed much. It was just a question of whether we were going to be more physical or not. And I think we have shown it. And we were there for 48 minutes. “

Several other numbers have stood out defensively. The Lakers limited the Wolves Transition Game, granting only six fast breakup points after abandoning 25 in match 1. The minnesota fired 5 out of 25 (20%) on the 3 points after having made 21 out of 42 (50%) in game 1. The number of attempts was undoubtedly as impressive as the number of brands – The Lakers prevented the wolts of the same Passing through and 3 years old.

The game has turned into hand -to -hand combat for stretching, the lakers corresponding to the Wolves seized and pushed and hold. They dictated the terms of commitment much more often than in match 1, looking for confrontation.

“We were physical,” said coach JJ Redick. “The playoffs require a different level.”

At the same time, the Lakers had some lulls in the center and execution, especially in the second period. While Minnesota has carried out one of the many races in the middle of the third quarter, Redick started in his team in an explicit and heavy expiration time of Stomp.

He later said that he was not satisfied with the behavior and the intensity of the team during this moment, and he wanted to remind them of their performance in the first half. The Lakers immediately responded with a 9-0 race, extending the lead from 11 to 20 and giving themselves a breathing room entering the fourth quarter.

“It’s not something I want to do,” said Redick. “But this is something that I am more than comfortable. I think that evening, it was just a question of bringing this emergency button back.”

The main concern during the first two games, apart from Minnesota flying the advantage of the court at home, is the offensive end. Only Dončić (31 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in match 2) looks alike. James (21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists) and Austin Reaves (16 points, five rebounds and five assists) were better in match 2 than in match 1, but no star has yet played at the top of his match.

Rui Hachimura’s support cast, Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent had trouble making sweaters. Jaxson Hayes played nine minutes due to problems of big and dubious decisions. Jarred Vanderbilt and Jordan Goodwin are used sparingly.

The offensive stagnated in the second half, a bad habit of lakers when they are up by a large number of points. They can play late in the stopwatch and become too heavy with isolation. If the Wolves played better offensively – or the defense of it had been worse – it could have become more than one match in the fourth quarter.

“We could still be better offensively,” said James. “I sometimes thought we were very sharp. But sometimes we didn’t know it. I think we could do a better job on the offensive, but we will continue to get better, continue to watch the film, see the ways in which we can break the defense and continue to have a good appearance. I have to continue working on habits. »»

Wolves will be better back in Minnesota. They will have counters on the game plan of the counter Edwards. They will play even more physics and confidence at home. Lakers lost four games in a row and seven of the eight in Minnesota in the regular season. It was sometimes a horror house for them. They should expect the best minnesota haymakers this weekend.

The Lakers offensive must be better, James and Reaves having the most room for improvement. They must remain organized, execute sets, a space correctly and screen and cut hard. Their defense style tends to undermine the legs, leading to bancals shooting performance for some of the supporting players.

But if they can defend themselves as they did in match 2 for the rest of the series – a level they flashed for more than a quarter of the trade before and post -dončić – they should qualify for the semi -finals of the West Conference.

“When we play this kind of defense for 48 minutes, it gives us a very good chance to win,” said Dončić.

(Photo of Jordan Goodwin, Dorian Finney-Smith and Luka Dončić defending Anthony Edwards: Kiyoshi Mio / Imagn Images)