This wolves/Lakers will remain as the match where Russell Westbrook (18 points, 8 rebounds) became again, for one evening (if not more?), a substitute rookie. Indeed, for the first time in 14 years, he sat on the bench in the middle, leaving LeBron James (28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals) struggle as best he can to end his own black series, in the absence of Anthony Davis (back) through injury.
Without “AD”, Minnesota took advantage of this to rely on an excellent Rudy Gobert (22 points, 21 rebounds) inside, but also Anthony Edwards (29 points) and Karl Anthony Towns (21 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists), in order to martyrize the defense of Los Angeles.
Enough to win (111-102), after a generally controlled second period, and further push the “Purple & Gold” at the start of the season…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Russell Westbrook’s new role. For the first time since his rookie season in 2008/09, the ‘Brodie’ started a game on the bench, so he could play more as the main ball carrier. If it took him a little time to warm up, the 2017 MVP then managed to get into his game. Planting in particular 10 points in the second quarter, while being aggressive, to bring the Lakers back into contact. A good contribution, in energy, to lead the Californian bench and help it dominate that of the Wolves (47 to 22), despite several regrettable errors (6/17 on shots, 5 lost balls and 5 faults).
— Lakers too imperfect. Between their 22 ball losses, which cost them 25 points in stride, or their 9/29 at 3-pts, the “Purple & Gold” lacked cleanliness and address. There was however room to leave with something other than a new defeat but, weighed down by their too many errors, which do not forgive against a candidate for the playoffs, the players of Darvin Ham still had to bow. From now on, the hour is serious in California, with this 0-5, and one wonders what could turn the tide…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Minnesota’s Big Three. Between them, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards scored nearly two-thirds of their team’s points (72 out of 111). In turn, they were able to press where the shoe pinches in Los Angeles, that is to say near the circle in the absence of Anthony Davis, but also off in sequences. Gluttonous, Gobert was the most consistent of the three, proving effective from start to finish, as Edwards and Towns shone in the third (16 points) and fourth (14 points) quarters respectively.
✅ LeBron James. If the setbacks accumulate for the Lakers, the “King” nevertheless takes the opportunity to continue to write his legend. Last night, he thus became, ahead of Karl Malone (and despite an address at half mast), the record holder for games with 20+ points in the regular season (1,135). A new statistical achievement to add to his list, already immensely provided…
✅ Taurean Prince. For once, it was not Jaylen Nowell who stood out the most on the Wolves side off the bench, but the former Hawks and Nets player. Author of 13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals in 26 minutes, he was quite simply the leader of the second unit of Minnesota, with its versatility, reliability and efficiency. To reproduce, therefore.
✅ The Reaves/Gabriel duo. Off the bench, Austin Reaves (12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists) and Wenyen Gabriel (8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks) showed great things alongside Russell Westbrook. Voluntary, their activity in attack and defense was good for the Lakers, as soon as they entered the floor. We would not be surprised to see the trio they form with Westbrook used more regularly, and at the same time, in the future.
⛔ Patrick Beverly. More than the clumsy Lonnie Walker IV (6 points, 3/10 on shots and 0/4 at 3-pts), “Pat Bev” was sorely missed by the Lakers today. Because, for his return to Minnesota, he still delivered a tasteless performance: only 6 points in 30 minutes, 2/4 on shots. Too little influential – not to say ghostly – on the offensive level, he was not frankly convincing in defense either. Moreover, ending the game with a “plus/minus” of… -23, in other words the worst of the game.
THE FOLLOWING
Minnesota (4-2) : trip to San Antonio, on the night of Sunday to Monday (00:00).
Los Angeles (0-5) : reception from Denver, on the night of Sunday to Monday (02:30).
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