Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Keys for Success Against the Minnesota Timberwolves

The Lakers will need to do more than hang their hats on having of the best home records in the NBA, 14-2, to come out on top against the Timberwolves. The last time they matched up against the Timberwolves, they were successful on the road in a very good offensive performance from their “big three.”  

The Lakers were able to get a win on the road largely in part due to Kobe Bryant’s 35 points and 14 rebounds. Bryant and the Lakers played well, but in order to start the second half of the season off on a good note, they will need to make sure to emphasize the ideas on the next three slides.

1. Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol had arguably one of his best games of the season the first time these teams faced off. He played nearly 42 minutes, shooting 11-of-15 from the field, managing to be a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, which combined for 28 points and six rebounds. It’s essential Pau put up another dominating offensive performance should the Lakers hope to improve their impressive home record.

Though a huge key to success shouldn’t just be Pau; Andrew Bynum was also very impressive the last time they played the Timberwolves. He was 8-of-14 from the field and 5-of-7 from the free-throw line, combining for 21 points and seven rebounds.

The key stat to look at this time around will be rebounds, playing against a team whose leading rebounder is averaging 14 boards a night. The Lakers will need to work the game inside and out and make sure to box out all Minnesota players to capitalize on missed opportunities on both ends of the court.

2. The Bench

The bench will definitely need to play their A-game. With a broken-nosed Kobe Bryant, the normal offense he brings every night will need to be established early on by the bench should the Black Mamba not show up.

With Steve Blake in the lineup this time around, that should also help the bench’s offensive power. The last time around, they scored a combined 15 points, with rookie Andrew Goudelock scoring seven points in 15 minutes.

If the bench can have an above-average night and look to establish them early in the second half of the season, they can prove to Laker fans that they can play elite-level basketball when the starters are resting. If Goudelock gets some playing time, it will be interesting to see if he can match his offensive performance from last time he matched up against the Timberwolves.

3. Locking Down Kevin Love

There aren’t many times a team loses when its star players score 33 points and grab 13 boards. The Lakers will need to play exceptional defense and, as mentioned in an earlier slide, primarily focus on boxing out rebound powerhouse Kevin Love.

He definitely gave the Lakers a run for their money in his nearly 42 minutes of play by going 13-of-22 from the field, including one three-pointer. It will be an essential matchup for whoever is on Kevin Love to shut down his low-post offensive game and definitely play him hard when he decides to float behind the perimeter.

If the Lakers can implement these three key strategies, they can definitely win the first game of the second half of the season. In game that is definitely momentum-driven, the Lakers will need all the momentum they can get to make run down the stretch and secure themselves a favorable seat in the Western Conference when playoff time comes around.