Game Overview

Rumors of the Los Angeles Lakers’ demise have been greatly exaggerated. After getting blown off of the floor in Game 1 of their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers stormed back to even the series at 1-1 with a 94-85 victory on their home floor on Tuesday night. The series will now return to Minnesota for Game 3.

Major Takeaways

• Limiting 3-Pointers: The Timberwolves won Game 1 by shooting 21 of 42 on 3-pointers. In Game 2, the Lakers focused on limiting these attempts and were successful as the Timberwolves were held to just 25 attempts, far fewer than their wide-open looks in Game 1.
• Defensive Adjustments: The Lakers tweaked their defensive scheme to emphasize limiting open shots, resulting in a much needed adjustment that kept Minnesota’s scoring under control.
• LeBron’s Struggles: LeBron James scored 19 points in both games, which is unusual for a player of his caliber in the playoffs. He appeared to struggle with his shooting and didn’t seem as explosive, raising questions about his current form.

Closing Thoughts

As the playoffs continue, the expectation builds on the Lakers for a stronger showing, especially with both James and the team needing to find their rhythm as they travel to Minnesota.