Lakers get a much-needed win; move to 7th in the West
The Lakers traveled to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves and took care of business with a win 123-111. This game meant a lot for the Lakers, as the Western Conference is a constant see-saw battle. With this win, the Lakers are now in sole possession of 7th place and, for the first time this season, have an above .500 record.
Anthony Davis led Los Angeles as he dominated the game from start to finish. He exited briefly in the 3rd quarter as he fell to the ground grabbing his ankle. He then returned and scored 21 points after the injury but ended the game with 38 points and 17 rebounds.
*Update seven times now. https://t.co/5JtYCfwmv4
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 1, 2023
Along with Davis having a great game, the starting lineup combined for 95 points. The entire starting lineup was in double digits. LeBron James did not shoot great from the field but still finished with a double-double of 18 points and 10 assists. D’Angelo Russell led the team in assists with 10 and also scored 12 points.
The bench for the Lakers did not have a huge impact on the scoring side, but Dennis Schroder and Rui Hachimura made huge contributions on the defensive side. Hachimura led the team with a +20 plus-minus, and Schroder was 2nd on the team with a plus-minus of +15.
Final: Lakers 123, Wolves 111
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 1, 2023
LA moves to 39-38 -- their first time over. 500 this season -- and jumps to No. 7 in the West. AD gutted out an ankle injury w/ 38 points and 17 rebounds. Rui Hachimura and Dennis Schroder provided big boosts off the bench.
Up next: at HOU on Sun.
The Lakers have been on a huge run since the trade deadline, as they have a record of 14-7 and have climbed up in the Western Conference standings. Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Hachimura have all been key contributors to the team and have provided a huge spark on offense as well as defense.
The Lakers are on their final road trip of the season and have started off 2-0 and have three games left to go. The Western Conference is so close as the Lakers needed a few teams in front of them in the standings to lose. The Clippers were unsuccessful as they took on the Grizzlies, the Thunder lost to the Pacers, and the Jazz lost to the Celtics.
Updated NBA Standings
— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) April 1, 2023
• Lakers 7th seed
• GSW are currently playing Spurs
• Clippers, Jazz, OKC lose
• Lakers next 2 games, at Rockets, at Jazz pic.twitter.com/0PL1MyVMzE
The Lakers have been successful, and the way they are rolling looks like they are nowhere close to being done. Davis is playing like the 2020 version of Anthony Davis that this team needs. If this team continues to play this way, they will be a tough out come playoff time.
Next on the road trip, the Lakers take on the Houston Rockets on Sunday, April 2, at 4 pm. The team is clicking, and it’s scary hours for the rest of the NBA.