Behind the immense second and third quarters, the Wolves entered Los Angeles and gave the Lakers a beat in match 1 of the NBA qualifiers, winning 117-95.
After having followed up to 27 points, purple and gold rallied in the third and fourth quarters, but have never really threatened visitors, not even committed the difference to a single figure.
Luka Dončić led all scorers with 37 points on 12-22 shot. LeBron James started slow and ended with 19 points, five rebounds, two interceptions and three blocks. Austin Reaves scored 16 points after his own very slow departure.
No other laker has reached two figures and only Rui Hachimura – nine points on 3-9 shot – has reached more than one goal among rotation players.
It was Luka’s show to start when he scored six consecutive points to give the Lakers the advantage early. Rui joined the score with six points on two 3 points. The energy was high and the two teams played with a high intensity of eliminatory series.
The Timberwolves were up to four reversals after a disorderly game. During the first time, the eight years old.
Outside the break, the two teams missed their first shots. Luka and Anthony Edwards began to exchange baskets, which in turn led to the rhythm of the game. Gabe Vincent and Dorian Finney-Smith drained the 3 points of their own. At the end of the first, purple and gold were up seven.
Dononic has already seen 5 different wolves defensively, either initially or by calling a large on a switch, and has up to 16 points out of 5 FG with 3 triple manufactured and 3 feet.
Lakers lead 28-21.
– Mike Trudell (@LakersREporter) April 20, 2025
The second quarter started with Jaden McDaniels marking five games in a row. The Minnesota jumped forward by three as they cooked offensively. The only laker to score was Austin with a lay-up.
Los Angeles had to call a dead time to restore an order. Outside the break, McDaniels marked again to add to the 14-2 score executed by the Timberwolves. LeBron finally saw the ball go through the hoop on a three -point game to stop the break.
Nothing went well for the bus they could not have their blows and had trouble defending. Naz Reid came big for the Wolves with six points. Rui pierced a 3 -point pointer essential to stop part of the bleeding. A positive for the was Rudy Gobert grabbing his third fault.
Los Angeles tried to reduce the deficit with LeBron who finally made more shots, but the whole momentum was still with the Wolves, which went up to 50% pulling on the ground. Donte Divincenzo scored on a 3-point at the end of half-time, placing the Timberwolves from 11 to half time.
At halftime: Wolves 59, Lakers 48
Min outlined the 38-20 in the second. It was a disastrous district for the two sides of the ball. Wolves are 11 for 22 out of 3s. It was excessive and rotating and a step behind too much goods. Luka has 20. LeBron has 10.
– Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 20, 2025
The Minnesota continued its offensive attack, marking 11 consecutive points to open the second half to force another dead time. LeBron has emptied the 3 points most necessary at 3 points after the break. Austin finally scored on a 3 -point.
However, the Timberwolves drew 57% behind the arc because the Lakers did not have a defensive response. The Wolves prevented it from finding a rhythm with their suffocating defense. Luka started to warm up lightly with four points. Los Angeles could not find a single way to prevent Minnesota from emptying what looked like 475 3 points.
A sudden thrust of 10-0 of the Lakers gave them a life on which they could rely for a potential return. Luka has set up in a crazy crazy buzzing crazy half to reduce the deficit to 16 at the end of the third.
Luka Doncic Banks in a 3 of Halfcourt to finish the 3rd Q with Lal Down 94-78. He has 31 pts to lead all scorers. But the Lakers always have board for them.
– Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 20, 2025
The final setting was opened with another 3 -point pointer from Luka. Despite the beautiful offensive push of Los Angeles, the Wolves still struck their shots because the Lakers still had trouble launching defensive stops.
Jarred Vanderbilt did a good job with his contagious energy and his ability to do the dirty work. Edwards started putting the wolves on his shoulders, trying to prevent the lakers from taking more momentum.
Los Angeles had shown that he had fought in them, but the hole was too deep to escape while the Wolves kept them at a distance despite the rally.
The main dishes to remember:
Sometimes you need a beat to remember that anything can happen in the playoffs. Gather match 2.
Don’t forget, everyone, you have to lose one to make Lakers in five.
The next Lakers match will be the 2 game on Timberwolves du Minnesota at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
You can follow Karin on Twitter in @Karinabcarians.
