Game Preview: Lakers vs Timberwolves
For the second time in less than a week, the Lakers will meet the Minnesota Timberwolves on national TV. This time, though, the matchup will look much different, as both teams are without their superstar first options in Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic.
Here are the keys for the Lakers to get another short-handed win tonight.
Support Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves has been on a tear to begin the season and has totaled over 92 points combined in his last two games. However, in the game against the Blazers, where he scored 41, he also turned the ball over 8 times.
With Doncic, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, and Gabe Vincent all out, the Lakers are left without a true secondary ball handler. However, someone has to be the next man up and at least become a competent ball-handling option. Some candidates for this include Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura, and even Dalton Knecht.
If one of those guys can create some sort of offense and relief for Reaves, the Lakers could be in for a much more efficient night than what they saw against Portland.
Defend and Rebound Against the Wolves’ Size
Even though Anthony Edwards will not play, Minnesota’s size down low is still a serious threat to the Lakers. While LA kept the rebound margin to just -2 in their first meeting, things will look much different without Luka Doncic crashing the defensive boards.
Deandre Ayton will need to be as active as ever, and Jaxson Hayes will have to make some plays in his return to the rotation. All guards and wings for the Lakers will also need to crash the glass, as practically everyone in the Wolves’ core rotation is a rebounding threat.
Final Notes
While it may not seem significant now, a win tonight would put the Lakers up 2-0 against the Wolves head-to-head, securing them the season series win and the tiebreaker. If the Lakers want to end up in the standings where they think they can, earning these advantages, even in October, matters.
The Lakers will also have a chance to exercise some demons tonight, as they will enter the building they dropped both games in during last season’s playoffs, the Target Center.
