True Lakers Fans

(31-48) at (24-55)

Sunday, April 9, 2017, 6:30 PM PDT
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

Referees: Tom Washington (#49), Eric Lewis (#42), JT Orr (#72)

Line: Wolves -4.5

NBA TV



GAME PREVIEW: TIMBERWOLVES AT LAKERS

BY NBA.COM

LOS ANGELES -- Despite being one of the worst teams in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers are enjoying the final stretch of their dismal campaign. The Lakers will try to post a season-high four-game winning streak when they play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday at Staples Center.

The Lakers (24-55) won their third in a row Friday when they defeated the Sacramento Kings 98-94 at Staples. Julius Randle scored 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting to pace the Lakers, who have not won four straight games in four seasons.

"I think we're playing more together," said Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr., who collected a game-high 11 rebounds with seven points. "We're not necessarily caring who gets the points, who gets the rebounds, who gets the steals. Everybody's focused on trying to get some wins."

In addition to topping the Kings, the Lakers have beaten the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies this week. That has allowed the Lakers to pass the Phoenix Suns (23-57) for the worst record in the Western Conference with three games remaining. Only the Brooklyn Nets (20-60) have compiled a worse mark.

If the Lakers fail to garner a top-three pick in this summer's lottery, they will forfeit the pick to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the Steve Nash trade.

However, that is of little concern right now to Lakers coach Luke Walton and his players. They are relishing one of their best runs of the season.

"They are having fun and they are competing," Walton told the club website regarding his players. "When we were playing well early in the year, that is what we were doing. Losing took that from us, and we've found it again for the last couple of games."

The Timberwolves (31-48) have found little to grin about in their recent play. They have dropped three consecutive contests and seven of their last 10.

In a season some predicted would result in a playoff berth, the Timberwolves' inconsistency has been their downfall.

The Utah Jazz handed Minnesota a 120-113 loss on Friday. The Timberwolves are 0-3 on their current four-game road swing.

"We fought," Wolves forward Andrew Wiggins told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "We've been playing a lot of games, a lot of travel. It's difficult, but we fought. Everyone's tired, but what we're feeling now, the whole NBA is feeling."

The Timberwolves experienced some good vibes March 30 after a 119-114 decision over the Lakers behind a career-high 33 points by guard Ricky Rubio. Rubio also had 11 assists and five rebounds. Center Karl-Anthony Town added 32 points.

But the Timberwolves faded down the stretch and lost 130-119 in overtime on March 24 in their last contest against the Lakers at Staples. The Timberwolves blew an eight-point lead with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.

Minnesota's inability to hold late leads has been a major problem for much of the season.

"If you have big leads going late into the game, there obviously were a lot of good things happening to build those leads," Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau, according to the Star Tribune. "Then you have to ask yourself: Why did we lose those leads?"

Minnesota has prevailed in two of the previous three contests against Los Angeles this season.

http://www.nba.com/games/20170409/MINLAL#/preview

I'll be representing for one last time and look forward to see how Brandon Ingram matches up with Andrew Wiggins tonight. I'm going to root for the Lakers to win despite the fact that it is more likely than not that they will lose their pick by finishing third worst in the league. Tough shit. The improvement of the youngsters is noticeable since Lou's departure and we have plenty of kids anyway, so maybe it's a blessing in disguise if they go into next season with a winning mindset, have another full season of improvement without rocking the boat too much, and we keep our 2018 pick instead, regardless of where it falls. Of course I would rather have the pick, but whatever will be will be and either way we will be much improved next season IMO.

Thanks Ken for doing these all season. Game 80 already, 2 left after tonight. The offseason and Draft should be interesting.

"If you have big leads going late into the game, there obviously were a lot of good things happening to build those leads," Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau, according to the Star Tribune. "Then you have to ask yourself: Why did we lose those leads?"

Maybe if you didn't play these kids so many fucking minutes, they'd be a little fresher down the stretch of games, you dumb shit.

KobeMVP888 wrote:"If you have big leads going late into the game, there obviously were a lot of good things happening to build those leads," Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau, according to the Star Tribune. "Then you have to ask yourself: Why did we lose those leads?"

Maybe if you didn't play these kids so many fucking minutes, they'd be a little fresher down the stretch of games, you dumb shit.

I agree, with Wiggins and Towns + Rubio the Wolves should be fighting Lillard and crew for that 8th spot. Like you I am curious to see what Ingram brings against Wiggins.

So glad we got Luke and not Thibs

Julius Russell wrote:So glad we got Luke and not Thibs

This I agree with you 100%. If Luke was the Wolves the Coach I think they would be right with Portland. Thibbs runs his players into the ground. Luke is one of the positives we have going for us.

Metta World Peace with the 3-pointer!!!

Lakers up 95-92

Russell rattles in a 3 for the win! Love those Lakers. Metta was getting down too

THE KID HAS ICE IN THOSE VEINS!!!

Lakers4Life wrote:

When Russell let it go I knew it was going in but it did rattle in LOL. Nice win, Wiggins had 41 and Towns 40 and we still beat them.

So glad I went. Most fun game of the season and we had 11th row mid court seats that were given to us. Towns and Wiggins are amazing, but Thibs is the wrong coach for that young team. Happy for DLo. I didn't know that his grandmother died this morning and that he almost didn't play. What a way to end the game for him! Our young core will go into the off season with a different mindset, which is important. More important than the pick? Who knows. And what about MWP? How great was that!

KobeMVP888 wrote:So glad I went. Most fun game of the season and we had 11th row mid court seats that were given to us. Towns and Wiggins are amazing, but Thibs is the wrong coach for that young team. Happy for DLo. I didn't know that his grandmother died this morning and that he almost didn't play. What a way to end the game for him! Our young core will go into the off season with a different mindset, which is important. More important than the pick? Who knows. And what about MWP? How great was that!

DLo won it for his grandma! That was just Ronny being Ronny getting hot . I still like our chances of Drafting 3rd too. Glad to see the team winning and still have a chance to pick #3.