Lakers Outlast Timberwolves in OT, 101-99
- Updated: March 25, 2015
(Photo via @Lakers)
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, 101-99. Jordan Clarkson hit two clutch free throws to give the Lakers the win. All eight Lakers scored at least one basket en route to their gritty win on Wednesday night.
The Los Angeles Lakers were on the second game of a five-game road trip and looked to win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The last time the Lakers visited Target Center, Kobe Bryant made history.
Carlos Boozer and Jordan Hill sat out for the second straight and probably “the next four or five games”, according to acting head coach Paul Pressey, to develop the younger guys on the team. The Lakers had eight players available tonight in their absence.
The Lakers jumped to a 12-11 lead halfway through the first quarter and eventually held the Timberwolves to 32% shooting for 24-15 advantage after the first quarter. Tarik Black had six points and three rebounds for the Purple and Gold.
In the second quarter, the Lakers were clinging to a 38-35 lead with four minutes left. The Lakers then went on a short run to lead 49-43 into the locker room. Every Laker who saw the floor scored a basket, led by Ed Davis’ eight points and three rebounds and Jeremy Lin’s six points and five assists.
Out of the locker room, Jeremy Lin made seven quick points to give the Lakers a 13-point lead, causing a timeout by the Timberwolves. The Lakers were able to withstand a couple of runs by the Timberwolves, leading by seven entering the fourth quarter, 73-66. Jeremy Lin scored 13 points in the third quarter.
The Timberwolves inched to within a point to cap off a 10-2 run, halfway through the fourth quarter. They eventually took a lead off a Gorgui Dieng layup, causing a timeout by the Lakers. The Lakers would regain their lead, 85-83 with less than three minutes left. Jabari Brown hit a clutch three-pointer, along with a Jordan Clarkson jumper, giving the Lakers a five-point advantage with 1:38 left. The Timberwolves had one more chance to tie the game with 20 seconds left, and rightfully so, Chase Budinger drilled a corner three to knot it up at 90. With six seconds left, Ryan Kelly missed a wide-open jumper as the game went into overtime.
In overtime, the game was tied at 97 with less than a minute left. Jordan Clarkson used his speed past Zach LaVine for a layup to give the Lakers a two-point lead with 34 seconds left. In the next possession, Gorgui Dieng hit a jumper with ease to tie the game at 99. Jordan Clarkson was then fouled off a rebound and went to the free throw line, hitting both to give the Lakers a two-point lead with 0.3 seconds left. The Lakers went on to hold off the Timberwolves, 101-99.
The Lakers shot 42% from the field and a poor 23% from beyond the arc. Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers yet again with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists but committing six turnovers. Jeremy Lin complemented him with 19 points and five rebounds, despite not playing in the fourth quarter. Off the bench, Ed Davis finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. All eight Lakers scored at least one basket en route to their win in overtime.
Andrew Wiggins cemented his case for Rookie of the Year, finishing with 27 points and six rebounds. His co-rookie, Zach LaVine finished with 18 points and five assists. Off the bench, Chase Budinger scored 22 points and grabbed six rebounds.
The Lakers are 1-1 in their five-game road trip as they will travel up north to face the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, 4:30PM PST.
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