As in 2021 for Lakers and as in 2022 for the wolves, it is the “play-in” (dam) which should allow them to qualify for the playoffs this year. For the time being, the experiment has each time ended in joy, but one of these two teams, defeated, will have to go through a cutthroat match this time, of a “win or go home” nature against the winner of the Pelicans/Thunder.
On paper it is Los Angeles who seems to be the favorite of this meeting, given his dynamic since the All-Star Break and the fact that his group is (finally) complete. Opposite, Minnesota cannot say the same, because the results are more contrasted and irregular in the second part of the season, while the transplant Rudy Gobert really hard to take.
A Rudy Gobert who will precisely not be traveling to California, because of his suspension, in the same way as Jaden McDaniels, meanwhile suffered a stupid hand fracture. To facilitate the task of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and others on the “Purple & Gold” side, even if the Wolves of Karl Anthony Towns And Anthony Edwards do not intend to be easily trained, since animal reunions and the sweet scent of revenge await them against the Grizzlies, in the event of success.
PRESENTATION OF THE LAKERS
Holders: D. Russell, A. Reaves, L. James, J. Vanderbilt, A. Davis.
The substitutes: D. Schröder, S. Harrison, Ma. Beasley, L. Walker IV, M. Christie, T. Brown Jr, R. Hachimura, W. Gabriel, M. Bamba, T. Thompson.
The absents : /
The coach: D.Ham.
Truncated by the injuries of each other, the Lakers’ season was however saved by the exchanges made during the season, which notably made it possible to obtain D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt or Rui Hachimura. What surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis with profiles more complementary to their game than were the Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn and other Thomas Bryant. If we add the outbreak of Austin Reaves, one wonders if the Los Angeles workforce has never been so well armed, since the title in the “bubble” of Orlando (or even since the beginning of the James era).
The strong point
– The dynamic. Thanks to the work and audacity of Rob Pelinka, the Lakers have reversed a badly embarked situation from the “trade deadline”. So much so that they have established themselves as the best team in the Western Conference after the All-Star Break, while LeBron James has yet missed a month of competition. With an effective defense and a rising 3-point address, the Californians have launched their season in earnest and now no one really wants to stuff them in the playoffs, because they are still guided by two of 10 / 15 best players in the league, themselves supported by a fine army of “role players”.
The weak point
– Health. Since the establishment of their association LeBron James – Anthony Davis, the Lakers have won a title, failed in the playoffs when Davis was injured, then missed the playoffs when the physical glitches of LeBron and Davis have (re) surfaced. In full, we could therefore say that they have not yet found a stronger than them and, if they want to go far this year, they will certainly have to defend the lead and convert their 3-point attempts, but above all hoping their major duo stays 100% or, at least, on both legs long enough. Not impossible, but not guaranteed for all that, for these fragile profiles…
PRESENTATION OF THE WOLVES
Holders: M. Conley, A. Edwards, K. Anderson, T. Prince, K. Towns.
The substitutes: J. McLaughlin, A. Rivers, N. Alexander-Walker, J. Nowell, W. Moore Jr, J. Minott, N. Knight, L. Garza.
The absents : R. Gobert, Jad. McDaniels, N. Reid.
The coach: C.Finch.
In the space of one evening, incidentally the most important of their season, Wolves lost their best outside defender, Jaden McDaniels, and their best inside defender, Rudy Gobert. Suffice to say that they will appear diminished at the level of the “frontcourt”, because the two holders, respectively injured and suspended, will not be in uniform against the Lakers of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. This will make Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns more responsible, while Chris Finch’s rotation will only be shorter and more “small-ball”.
The strong point
– 3-point efficiency. With Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, Taurean Prince, Nickeil Alexander-Walker or Matt Ryan, all able to draw effectively from afar (minimum 36% success behind the arc each, in minimum 2 attempts per meeting), it is hardly surprising to see the Wolves in second place of the most skilful teams in the league at 3-pointers since the All-Star Break (39%). Without Rudy Gobert, Minnesota’s game will lean more outward and it will take to blow up the Lakers’ defense, which grants a lot of award-winning attempts but bothers them well (34%).
The weak point
– A decimated rotation. Rudy Gobert suspended, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid injured: it is an understatement to say that the Wolves will not be complete for this poster and, even worse, these absences all come from the 3/4/5 positions. A real headache in perspective for Chris Finch, who will have to determine whether to adapt to the opponent or rather adapt to his team. In other words: should we play “small-ball”, even if it means letting LeBron James and Anthony Davis wander around, or should we rather stay in a system where Karl-Anthony Towns is associated with two other large players (Kyle Anderson and Nathan Knight) in the “frontcourt”?
THE KEY TO THE MATCH
– The battle of the “frontcourt”. Given the injuries to Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid, while Rudy Gobert is also out for disciplinary reasons, Wolves are likely to suffer in the racket. Especially against the duo LeBron / Davis, who will not fail to take malicious pleasure in pushing them near the circle, to better score or stand out on their shooters. Hence the importance for Minnesota to be guided by a Karl-Anthony Towns gala against Los Angeles, and we have seen this season that Chris Finch’s men had the weapons to punish those of Darvin Ham inside. But they weren’t so weak…
REGULAR SEASON
Minnesota 2-1
October 28: Minnesota – Los Angeles (111-102)
March 3: Los Angeles – Minnesota (102-110)
March 31: Minnesota – Los Angeles (111-123)
VERDICT
LA Lakers, to afford a tempting duel with Memphis in the first round and thus slip into the table part of the Kings and Warriors. Leaving Minnesota to play its season against New Orleans or Oklahoma City, during the second round of the “play-in”…
HOURLY
At 04:00, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday.
