Game 36: 01/01/18 Lakers at Timberwolves GAME THREAD

Game 36: 01/01/18 Lakers at Timberwolves GAME THREAD

Postby KobeMVP888 » Mon Jan 01, 2018 10:20 am

(11-24)Image at Image(23-14)

Monday, January 1, 2018, 5:00 PM PDT
Target Center • Minneapolis, MN

Referees: David Guthrie (#16), Jacyn Goble (#68), Michael Smith (#38)

Replay Center: Matt Boland, Kevin Cutler

Line: Wolves -10.5

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GAME PREVIEW: LAKERS AT TIMBERWOLVES


by NBA.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves were bound to be weary for their New Year's Day meeting at the Target Center with both teams traveling for the second game of a back-to-back set on Monday.

Los Angeles then played a marathon, double-overtime game in Houston on Sunday that lasted nearly three hours and saw starters Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Tyler Ennis play over 40 minutes apiece.

Already short-handed due to the absences of Brook Lopez (sprained right ankle) and rookie Lonzo Ball (sprained left shoulder), the Lakers may experience a tough time against the streaking Wolves.

"It's obviously frustrating, but we're very proud of the way we're (playing despite being) short-handed right now," Los Angeles coach Luke Walton said after his team's 148-142 loss to the Rockets on Sunday. "It would've been a lot easier to kind of just pack it in and individually go out and try to put up big numbers until we get healthy or until we get to an easier part of the schedule.

"Our guys really came together tonight and really played well for most of the game."

Minnesota earned its sixth win in seven games and ninth in a span of 12 games with a commanding 107-90 victory at Indiana on Sunday.

"We just moved the ball well and our defense was phenomenal," Timberwolves forward Taj Gibson said. "Everybody was just really in sync."

It will be the second holiday meeting in a week between the two teams. Minnesota beat the Lakers 121-104 at Los Angeles on Christmas Day. The loss was one of six straight for the Lakers heading into play Monday.

Ball missed his fourth consecutive game on Sunday, and he won't play against the Timberwolves.

Rookie Josh Hart scored a career-high 26 points against the Rockets, and Tyler Ennis filled in for Ball with a career-high 20 points and season-high 11 assists.

Julius Randle had 29 points, 15 rebounds and six assists on Sunday. Kuzma continued his strong season with 21 points.

"We were playing really aggressive in the first quarter and we picked up our defense," Randle said. "We were able to get stops and get out and run."

The Wolves are also short-handed with point guard Jeff Teague out indefinitely due to a sprained MCL in his left knee.

Jimmy Butler has dealt with an ankle injury but is leading Minnesota in its recent run. Butler had 26 points Sunday, his seventh consecutive game of at least 20 points.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 18 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks in the Sunday win.

Of note for the Wolves against the Pacers was an improved defense. Minnesota scored the first 17 points and held a team under 100 points for the first time in eight games. Slowly, the Wolves' defense is showing positive signs.

"We made shots, they missed some they normally make, (it was) probably a combination of those two things," Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau said. "They made a run at us. I think they got it down to five, but we built (the lead) back up."

Building leads in the fourth quarter had been troublesome for the Wolves this season. Minnesota's net rating in the fourth is minus-8.6, the second-worst mark in the NBA. However, the Wolves' net rating in the fourth over the past 15 games has been plus-1.9, the league's 14th-best mark over that stretch.


http://www.nba.com/games/20180101/LALMIN#/preview
I LOVE BASKETBALL! GO LAKERS! #18 COMIN' UP STRONG!!! TOO EASY, JUST WAAAAY TOO EASY!!!!! NEXT! :rollyellow:
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Re: Game 36: 01/01/18 Lakers at Timberwolves GAME THREAD

Postby Moos » Mon Jan 01, 2018 3:18 pm

We should climb up the ladder since we'll have easier games scheduled ahead.
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Re: Game 36: 01/01/18 Lakers at Timberwolves GAME THREAD

Postby KobeMVP888 » Mon Jan 01, 2018 4:55 pm

Moos wrote:We should climb up the ladder since we'll have easier games scheduled ahead.


Some words of wisdom from TrueFan1947 imparted to me on February 28, 2010 if that ladder is to be climbed:

TrueFan1947 (2/28/2010 at 12:01 PM)

KobeMVP888 (2/28/2010 at 11:52 AM)

When I had the privilege of meeting you in person, you said "57, 58, 59" wins. Doesn't matter. All that matters is whether we're "healthy." Words from years of experience. Words of wisdom.

****************
To me these things are self-evident. So much of the banter that passes for "analysis" generally speaking is devoid of common sense. Example: what good is HCA if health is compromised? To me this is a "no-brainer". Remember 1989? Hamstrings? Remember 1988 and Isaiah's ankle? Remember Yao and the FOOT? Health is NUMBER ONE! I KNOW that YOU know these things. I simply MARVEL at some of the stuff that gets posted. It's as if most folks have not "learned" these things somehow. Go figure!
I LOVE BASKETBALL! GO LAKERS! #18 COMIN' UP STRONG!!! TOO EASY, JUST WAAAAY TOO EASY!!!!! NEXT! :rollyellow:
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Re: Game 36: 01/01/18 Lakers at Timberwolves GAME THREAD

Postby Lakers4Life » Mon Jan 01, 2018 8:06 pm

Didn’t expect a good effort tonight since we went 2OT last night. So slightly surprised we are “only” down 11
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Re: Game 36: 01/01/18 Lakers at Timberwolves GAME THREAD

Postby 3Peatkb24 » Mon Jan 01, 2018 8:36 pm

KobeMVP888 wrote:
Moos wrote:We should climb up the ladder since we'll have easier games scheduled ahead.


Some words of wisdom from TrueFan1947 imparted to me on February 28, 2010 if that ladder is to be climbed:

TrueFan1947 (2/28/2010 at 12:01 PM)

KobeMVP888 (2/28/2010 at 11:52 AM)

When I had the privilege of meeting you in person, you said "57, 58, 59" wins. Doesn't matter. All that matters is whether we're "healthy." Words from years of experience. Words of wisdom.

****************
To me these things are self-evident. So much of the banter that passes for "analysis" generally speaking is devoid of common sense. Example: what good is HCA if health is compromised? To me this is a "no-brainer". Remember 1989? Hamstrings? Remember 1988 and Isaiah's ankle? Remember Yao and the FOOT? Health is NUMBER ONE! I KNOW that YOU know these things. I simply MARVEL at some of the stuff that gets posted. It's as if most folks have not "learned" these things somehow. Go figure!


Yeah good ol TrueFan with his Posts. Great stuff! Unfortunately tonight was just a poor effort. Game was pretty much over after the 1st Qtr as the body language of the team looked off from the beginning. 7 straight losses now.
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Re: Game 36: 01/01/18 Lakers at Timberwolves GAME THREAD

Postby lakerevolution » Mon Jan 01, 2018 9:06 pm

In relation to the TrueFan message :uzi:



The Warriors are doing the same thing the Lakers did in their multi-year run at the Finals -- dealing with the long-term pitfalls of being the "favorite" or the champion and enduring injuries, "too many losses", personnel changes, media bullshit, etc. It's absolutely fantastic to watch your team dominate a reg. seas., getting 60+ wins (or 70+ if you're like, stacked and well-coached in a particular NBA era) and sending a strong message to the rest of the league about who has the "juice". But as the 80s Lakers, 90s Bulls and maybe today's Warriors and Cavs know, 60 and even 70 wins do not a title make. Getting a 1 or 2 seed is of course crucial, as is getting as healthy as possible (Right Pop?). Experience is a huge advantage, as is being able to win at home and on the road.

But, that being said, we are nowhere near playoff contention despite having a few promising young players and a handful of impressive games vs. elite Western teams.
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Re: Game 36: 01/01/18 Lakers at Timberwolves GAME THREAD

Postby KobeMVP888 » Mon Jan 01, 2018 9:14 pm

Minnesota was 11-26 at this time last year. They got Butler and matured a bit, so they are officially turned around. Maybe Paul George is the right player for our young core. We have to root for the Thunder to falter. He's not much different than Butler.

Never mind tonight's obvious loss. The Lakers should have forfeited and flew home.

BTW, how the fuck do these Timberwolves players play for this loudmouth asshole Thibs who never shuts his annoying trap, much like our scary so-called "president"? What a dick! A couple of blowhards who should be put out to pasture. :anfinger:

YET. I. DIGRESS.


:HNY3:
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Re: Game 36: 01/01/18 Lakers at Timberwolves GAME THREAD

Postby Julius Russell » Tue Jan 02, 2018 3:04 am

We need a couple Ws for morale.
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Re: Game 36: 01/01/18 Lakers at Timberwolves GAME THREAD

Postby KobeMVP888 » Tue Jan 02, 2018 12:28 pm

Julius Russell wrote:We need a couple Ws for morale.


My thoughts exactly, but don't expect them until Lonzo returns.
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Re: Game 36: 01/01/18 Lakers at Timberwolves GAME THREAD

Postby 3Peatkb24 » Tue Jan 02, 2018 2:30 pm

Julius Russell wrote:We need a couple Ws for morale.


Yes it would be nice. It's mostly about the young guys developing but a few wins here and there would make things more fun to watch.
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Re: Game 36: 01/01/18 Lakers at Timberwolves GAME THREAD

Postby 3Peatkb24 » Tue Jan 02, 2018 2:33 pm

KobeMVP888 wrote:Minnesota was 11-26 at this time last year. They got Butler and matured a bit, so they are officially turned around. Maybe Paul George is the right player for our young core. We have to root for the Thunder to falter. He's not much different than Butler.

Never mind tonight's obvious loss. The Lakers should have forfeited and flew home.

BTW, how the fuck do these Timberwolves players play for this loudmouth asshole Thibs who never shuts his annoying trap, much like our scary so-called "president"? What a dick! A couple of blowhards who should be put out to pasture. :anfinger:

YET. I. DIGRESS.


:HNY3:


Yeah Thibbs and Donald deserve each other, man not only is he loud but his voice is very annoying! Sounds like he has strep throat and he never shuts up :roflmao:
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