Lakers vs. Timberwolves: The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 103-96 in Game 5 on Wednesday, sending the visiting team to the Western Conference semifinals. Rudy Gobert scored 27 points and pulled down 24 rebounds. The sixth-seeded Timberwolves defeated the third-seeded Lakers 4-1 in their first-round series, led by 23 points from Julius Randle.
Gobert’s rebound total was both his career playoff best and a Timberwolves postseason record.
Coach Chris Finch of the Timberwolves said, “We knew we had to have it at some point in this series,” in reference to Gobert. “He was fantastic today, destroying opponents, pulling down nine offensive rebounds, playing very aggressive defence, and finishing well when given the chance. Rudy was able to roll (to the basket) because they were a bit more aggressive with the ball this game.
On a night when both players were off, Donte DiVincenzo scored nine points while Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards was held to only fifteen. DiVincenzo went 2-for-12 from 3-point range, while Edwards was 0-for-11.
After not making it that far in the first round the previous 19 seasons, the Timberwolves advanced out of the first round for the second straight season with a 54-37 rebounding edge. In the next round, they will play either the Golden State Warriors or the Houston Rockets.
What Was LeBron James’s Score?
The NBA’s newest explosive pair saw their season come to an end as Luka Doncic scored 28 points and LeBron James contributed 22. After a hard foul by DiVincenzo with 1:01 left before halftime, Doncic, who also had nine assists and seven rebounds, was hampered in the second half due to a back ailment.
Doncic made his Los Angeles debut on February 10 after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks, while Austin Reaves finished with 12 points and Rui Hachimura scored 23 points as the club finished 20-17, including playoff games.
With 3:08 remaining in the game, James made a 3-pointer to bring the Lakers within two points after falling down 14 points in the first half. With 2:22 remaining, Randle made a layup, and Edwards made an inside bucket to put the Timberwolves up 97-91.
“We obviously put ourselves in a position to be in the game three times in the fourth quarter and just came up short every time,” JJ Redick, the Lakers coach, said. “The offensive portion of it, specifically tonight, saw us miss a few rim shots and wide-open threes (in the fourth quarter).” We look good.
With 1:42 left, Hachimura made a 3-pointer to put the Lakers within three, but Mike Conley responded with a three-pointer for Minnesota, putting them up 100-94 with 1:22 left. The Timberwolves had gone 0-for-18 from deep range before the shot. Despite shooting 7 of 47 (14.9 cent) from beyond the arc, Minnesota prevailed.
Minnesota had a chance to progress, but they got out to a quick start, leading 29-15 in the opening quarter and 59-49 at the half.
Los Angeles rallied in the third quarter despite Doncic’s injury, grabbing the lead for the first time thanks to a 3-pointer from Dorian Finney-Smith with 2:38 left in the quarter, 78-77. Minnesota had an 81-80 lead going into the fourth quarter.
“We didn’t shoot the ball well, but I felt like we were the more resilient team both physically and mentally,” I told the boys. It manifested itself at that point,” Finch said. “We managed to endure the run. “After all that, we’re still up one,” I informed them after the (third) quarter. “Let’s go win.”
Despite losing in the playoffs, Redick remained excited about the Doncic-James combo.
“During the regular season, we participated in 13 games with our playoff rotation. It’s clear that LeBron and Luka did much more together than that. Redick replied, “These things take time.” “Luka and Kyrie (Irving) just went through it in Dallas. Needless to say, it takes time. In the fourth quarter of playoff games, we would want to have a greater understanding of that aspect and be more at ease with it. However, that bond and teamwork were more than strong.
