Lakers News: LA Staggers In Fourth, Drops Winnable Game To Timberwolves

The Lakers fell 110-102 late.

Your Los Angeles Lakers waged a mighty battle, but at the end of the day, they were unable to close out a winnable battle against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at Crypto.com Arena.

LA started off hot, thanks to a prolific first quarter courtesy of LA's lone available future Hall of Famer, center Anthony Davis. He poured in 16 points while shooting 6-of-9 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.

16-point first quarter for The Brow 〰 pic.twitter.com/XTk89XRByF

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 4, 2023

AD's efforts helped buoy Los Angeles to a 34-33 advantage over the Timberwolves through the first frame.

Both clubs exchanged mini-runs throughout the first half, and it looked for a bit like the Timberwolves were on the cusp of running away near the end of the second period, when Minnesota went on a 10-0 scoring tear. LA subsequently responded with a 9-0 scoring run from its own. The Wolves closed out the half up by a point, 56-55.

Minnesota's lone 2023 All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards, and its ex-Utah Jazz All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley, helped power the Timberwolves to a marginal 27-21 third quarter scoring edge, which pushed the club to an 83-76 advantage heading into the fourth frame.

The Timberwolves' bench found a way to build out their lead over the Lakers' reserves to double digits early into the game's final quarter. 

When all five of LA's starters for the game (Dennis Schröder, Malik Beasley, Troy Brown Jr., Jarred Vanderbilt and Davis) returned to the floor, Los Angeles managed to chip away at Minnesota's edge, eventually pulling within three points of Minnesota, 101-98, with 3:51 left in the game. 

LA stayed in it for a bit, thanks to the club's active efforts in the paint. The Timberwolves' lead got as close as 105-102 with 1:34 remaining in the fourth frame. Mike Conley iced the game by personally outscoring Los Angeles 5-0 the rest of the way.

Only three Lakers finished in double figures, led by Davis's 38 points on 12-of-22 shooting, plus five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.

Gobert led all Wolves scorers with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor and 6-of-10 shooting from the charity stripe, 14 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal.

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