Timberwolves Beat Lakers Without LeBron James 97-87

A Tale of Two Halves

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage. The Lakers led by five points at the end of the first quarter, but the Timberwolves rallied to take a two-point lead at the end of the second quarter.

The second half was a different story, as the Timberwolves played with much more energy and intensity. They held the Lakers to just 35 points in the second half and forced 18 turnovers. The Timberwolves also hit 10 of their 20 three-point attempts in the second half, while the Lakers hit just 4 of their 24 three-point attempts.

Key Plays

There were several key plays in the game that helped the Timberwolves secure the victory. With the Timberwolves leading by just two points with less than five minutes to play, Russell hit a three-pointer to give the Timberwolves a five-point lead. The Lakers never got closer than three points after that.

Another key play came with just over two minutes to play when Davis was called for a foul on Towns. Towns made both free throws to give the Timberwolves a seven-point lead, and the Lakers never got closer than five points after that.

What It Means

The win was a big one for the Timberwolves, who had been struggling to find their footing this season. It was also a big win for Timberwolves coach Chris Finch, who has been under fire for his team’s poor start to the season. The win snaps the Timberwolves’ six-game losing streak and gives them their first win of the season.

The loss was a disappointing one for the Lakers, who have now lost three of their last four games. The Lakers are now 5-10 on the season, and they are in danger of falling out of playoff contention.

What’s Next

The Timberwolves will be back in action on Sunday night when they host the Sacramento Kings. The Lakers will be back in action on Monday night when they host the Los Angeles Clippers.

Additional Analysis

The Timberwolves’ win was a surprising one, but it was well-deserved. The Timberwolves played with much more energy and intensity in the second half, and they were able to force the Lakers into making a lot of mistakes. The Timberwolves also hit 10 of their 20 three-point attempts in the second half, while the Lakers hit just 4 of their 24 three-point attempts.

The Lakers’ loss was a disappointing one, but it is important to remember that they are still a very good team. The Lakers have a lot of talent, and they are capable of beating any team in the league. However, the Lakers need to find a way to be more consistent. They have been playing well at times this season, but they have also had some very bad games.

The Timberwolves’ win is a sign that they are starting to turn things around. The Timberwolves have a lot of young talent, and they are starting to gel as a team. The Timberwolves are still a work in progress, but they have the potential to be a very good team in the future.