NBA: The start of 2022 has been favorable for the Los Angeles Lakers as they are back on track. They beat Timberwolves, 108-103, who were shorthanded.
Lebron James played 39 minutes and looked tired at the end of the game. His 26 points along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists led his team in scoring and rebounds. He was basically the force behind the win.
It was the third time that James started as a center but this time around it backfired. Minnesota was able to take 20 offensive rebounds while the Lakers could only get four. In total, the visitors grabbed 56 rebounds, double that of the hosts.
The game was close until the end. Naz Reid fired early on while Anthony Edwards showed his class. Reid finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds. He had 17 points in the first half alone. While Edwards had 18 points and seven rebounds.
The first quarter saw the Lakers putting in an extra effort to take the game away, leading by 7 points at the end of the first quarter.
The young energy brought on the court from the Timberwolves was just amazing. The second quarter ended with just a three-point lead for the Lakers. The Lakers would still continue their small ball game even after getting beaten in rebounding in the first half.
Malik Monk was the support with 22 points and Russell Westbrook too brought 20 points onto the table. Bradley was efficient and Carmelo was amazing in the clutch.
The second half was the reverse of the first half. Timberwolves would be the one leading after the end of the third quarter. The two-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter stated the mindset of Minnesota. It was the reason Lebron had to basically stay till the end.
Jaylen Nowell led the bench with 17 points in just 22 points. The two guards, Malik Beasley, and Patrick Beverley scored 16 and 12 points respectively.
The hosts were determined to take the win, Carmelo’s clutch shots helped them lift from the tie game. LeBron James was off in the last phase of the game.
At the end of the day, Los Angeles Lakers were the better shooting team. But don’t forget the fact that Karl Anthony Towns and DiAngelo Russell were not present and still the game went to its last breath.
