With an ongoing streak of six straight losses, Wolves were starting out anything but favorites at Staples Center. The unthinkable happened, however, since beyond a victory, the Minnesota men blasted the Lakers who never returned from the locker room.
The Californians had yet displayed their seriousness after two quarters, temporarily leaving their floor with two possessions in advance (49-44). We do not know what happened in the locker room but the Lakers are in any case completely missed the recovery.
The Wolves took the opportunity to gain the upper hand and display full confidence to offer themselves up to … 33 points ahead. Anthony Edwards didn’t even have to be on a big night. The Karl-Anthony Towns – D’Angelo Russell pair was more than enough to make the difference in this surprising configuration to say the least.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– An incredible third quarter. Implausible, the word is weak. While they were leading by five points at the start of this period, the Lakers had a streak of … eight minutes without entering the slightest shot in the game. Meanwhile, the Wolves, who did not shine by their skill. long distance so far, have gained confidence. The Towns – Russell pair followed suit. And the visitors stuck a 30-4 to the score, or a 40-12 in their favor over the entire quarter. The match was over.
– The collective bankruptcy of the Lakers. If Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook blacked out their stat sheet as best they could, it had no impact on the turn of events. Not a Lakers player has been able to raise his head when he does, namely in this fatal third quarter. Frank Vogel may well multiply the time-outs (he arrived almost short before the end of the third), the reaction of his team did not take place.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ La paire Towns – Russell. Inside scored 18 of their 29 points in the third period, where the game turned in Wolves’ favor. The All-Star was particularly inspired behind the arc, and was emulated by his point guard, D’Angelo Russell, who scored 11 points (including three missiles from afar) early in the final period to finish off the Lakers. Undoubtedly a reference match for this duo who have had so much trouble affording opportunities to play together in recent months.
⛔ Carmelo Anthony. First flop of the year for the Lakers winger who insisted throughout the evening with his 3-point shot, his favorite weapon this season, without success despite good positions (1/12 including 1/8 of far). When he does not put in it, his whole team is derailed in this sector (9/41).
WASTED BIRTHDAY
Russell Westbrook did not really have the opportunity to celebrate his 33 years on this day of sad defeat. With his 20 points, the leader was clean with his shot (7/11) but he still lost 5 balls and posted a terrifying -32 at +/- in the score when he was on the floor.
THE FOLLOWING
Lakers (7-6) : reception of Spurs, Sunday.
Wolves (4-7) : end of their “road trip” with the Clippers next night.
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