Minnesota Timberwolves vs. L.A. Lakers: Postgame Grades and Analysis for L.A.

The L.A. Lakers throttled the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night, 116-94, and they did so with efficient and well-balanced production.

The only part of the Lakers' production that was lopsided was Kobe's, and that's because he absolutely went off for 33 points in three quarters, on 13-of-22 shooting from the field.

Whenever the Timberwolves looked like they might be getting ready for a comeback, Kobe put an end to it with his smooth jumper or an aggressive finish in the paint. 

While the Timberwolves aren't the most formidable Western Conference foe, it's still encouraging for Lakers' fans to see the Lake Show put together an efficient and dominant performance.

It was a true team effort for the Lakers, with Kobe dropping 33 points in 32 minutes of action, and the second unit adding support by accounting for 52 points on 57.6 percent shooting, 

All in all, the Lakers showed fans the kind of team they can be with production from their bench and disciplined, team basketball. 

Point Guard: Steve Nash

It's a well-known fact that Steve Nash has serious respect for Ricky Rubio's game, and for good reason. 

Rubio is very similar to Nash in that they are both pass-first, shoot-later point guards. It may be time for Nash to pass the torch to Rubio though, because Rubio got the better of him Thursday night.

Nash didn't guard Rubio throughout the majority of the game, instead he guarded Luke Ridnour when he was in the game. Ridnour did a bit of work on Nash—ending the night with 19 points on 70 percent shooting.

Offensively speaking, Nash still is struggling to fit into the "spot-up shooter" role that the Lakers require him to be—ending the night with 10 points on just 33.3 percent shooting from the floor.

What Nash did best was protect the ball, committing zero turnovers. He also found his teammates for open shots, with seven assists on the night.

All in all, Nash didn't have a terrible game, but he did get overshadowed by Rubio's play.

Overall Grade: B-

Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant was absolutely explosive from the tip. In the first quarter alone he had two massive dunks, reminiscent of his glory days.

He ended the first half with 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the floor. Watching Kobe aggressively take over the game was awe-inspiring to watch, even if it was against the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves.

There was a stretch spanning the end of the second quarter and the beginning of the third when Kobe accounted for 13-straight points for the Lake Show. That's the kind of dominance Lakers' fans love to see from the Black Mamba. 

Kobe dropped 11 points in each of the first three quarters, and the only reason why he didn't do it in the fourth was because he rode the bench for most of it.

33 points in 32 minutes is quite a performance, and Kobe's play was certainly the spark the Lakers needed early on.

As usual, Kobe's defense was solid throughout, forcing two steals. 

There was just no one on the Timberwolves' roster that was capable of getting in Kobe's way, and Kobe took advantage of that from the moment the clock started ticking. 

Overall Grade: A

Small Forward: Metta World Peace

Metta World Peace was rather quiet against the Timberwolves, which was probably a good thing.

He ended the night with six points, four rebounds and two assists. The only issue with his performance is that he shot just 28.6 percent from the floor. 

The Lake Show still got the win, but World Peace absolutely must start displaying better shot selection because he jacks up too many questionable shots all too often. 

It shouldn't be shocking that World Peace's defense was impressive, something we've come to expect from him for so long.

He closed out on shooters well, and he brought help-side defense on penetrators in the paint at an efficient rate.

World Peace wasn't awful, but he wasn't all that good either. It was a below-average night for the man who brings peace to the world with his name.

Overall Grade: C+

Power Forward: Earl Clark

Earl Clark had a very quiet night against the Timberwolves, but that doesn't mean he had a terrible game.

He was a jack of all trades, with four points, four rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.  

This is the kind of player the Lakers need him to be, a well-balanced and efficient forward that doesn't do more than the Lakers require of him.

Clark was opportunistic on the glass and he didn't force any shots. He simply let the game come to him. While that didn't result with him filling the stat sheet, it helped the Lakers get the win and that's all that matters. 

If Clark can continue to put together well-balanced, versatile performances the Lakers will have a much better shot at reaching the playoffs.

Overall Grade: B

Center: Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard didn't have an awful night, but he didn't have that great of a night either. It was right in the middle.

The Lakers' big man had 11 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks, and shot an impressive 83.3 percent from the field. 

He protected the boards, cleaned up the offensive glass and defended well in the paint. But Howard also shot just a 25 percent from the charity stripe.

It certainly has to be frustrating to get beat up and pushed around every time you touch the ball in the paint, but hey, that's just the life of a 6'11'', 265-pound center. 

While I'm consistently amazed at Howard's inability to improve his free-throw percentage, he doesn't let it stop him from being aggressive on the boards and when he has the ball around the basket.

Watching Howard, I still don't think he's back to full health, which is why his numbers aren't as high as they should be. That said, he continues to help the Lakers win, and that's what matters.

Overall Grade: B

Sixth Man: Antawn Jamison

Antawn Jamison certainly won't win the 2013 Sixth Man of the Year award, because Jamal Crawford all but has it sealed up. But as of late he's been extremely consistent, and that didn't change Thursday night.

In his first 15 minutes of action, Jamison dropped 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting, which included two putbacks on offensive boards.

Jamison plays with such a high level of intelligence that he's absolutely key to the Lakers' success. He always finds open space and he's the most opportunistic rebounder on the Lakers' roster.

He ended the night with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor, and what's even more impressive is that he had five offensive rebounds. Efficiency was the name of the game for Jamison and he certainly delivered. 

Getting Jamison significant playing time and letting him do his thing is going to be key for the Lakers as the season rages toward the finish.

Overall Grade: A

Bench

There were two second units for the Lakers. First, the one that played in significant game time and dominated. And second, the one that played in scrub time when the game was out of reach

The Lakers' scrub-time bench wasn't bad, with Robert Sacre and Devin Ebanks adding six points, but their production didn't really matter. Now, onto the Lakers' real second unit.

Solid, solid performance came from the Lakers' second unit against a somewhat deep Timberwolves team. 

While the Lakers went just three men deep for the majority of the game, those three players—Jodie Meeks, Antawn Jamison and Steve Blake—put together a very productive and efficient performance.

At the end of the third quarter the Lakers' bench had accounted for 31 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the floor. Their shooting percentage at the end of the night was an impressive 57.6 percent.

The production the Lakers got from their bench helped keep the Timberwolves from keeping this one close throughout the night.

If it wasn't Kobe Bryant knocking down shots to keep the Timberwolves at bay, it was someone from their second unit—who ended the night with 52 of the Lakers' 116 points. 

Putting together these kinds of efficient and productive performances is going to be key to a Lakers run at the back end of the Western Conference playoff picture.

Overall Grade: A