Lakers vs. Wolves Final Score: Slow offense costs Lakers in Minnesota

The Lakers had their chances late, but fell short to the Wolves on Friday as they fell at Minnesota without LeBron, 97-87.

Rui Hachimura dropped a late clutch rebound with the team down by five, D’Angelo Russell had a pair of open 3-pointers that didn’t fall with the team down by seven, and Anthony Davis and Rui failed to grab a rebound with the team down by eight all in the last three minutes of the match.

Anthony Davis would have to pick up some more slack without LeBron James. It wasn’t a very pretty night from him though, as he finished the game with 23 points, 11 rebounds and an assist, but was a -22 in his 36 minutes. Austin Reaves was back in the starting lineup and scored 18 points with six rebounds and five helps.

Max Christie chipped in with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal while starting in place of LeBron James. Dalton Knecht and Gabe Vincent each had six points off the bench. Christian Koloko may not have scored, but he had three blocks, five rebounds and was +15 in 11 minutes.

The Lakers were remarkably sloppy on the night, finishing with 21 revenue with 11 of those coming in the first quarter.

Minnesota started the game quickly and led by six, while Los Angeles struggled to make a shot. The offensive woes continued for the entire team until Max scored five straight points to make it a one-point game.

The Wolves shot 50% from the field and kept scoring to place seventh. AD was warming up and scored on three straight interceptions. The Lakers committed turnovers, one of which came on a lazy inbounds pass. To make matters worse, D’Angelo Russell picked up three quick fouls.

At the end of the first, Minnesota was up 32-23.

The second quarter started with another turnover for LA, pushing their total to 12. Austin started to heat up, scoring six points and cutting LA’s deficit to five. Minnesota looked awful at the start of this quarter and the Lakers closed within two.

Minnesota missed 12 shots until they finally scored on an and-1, extending their lead to five. AD’s layup brought LA ​​within three, but the Lakers couldn’t take the lead because the Wolves had an answer.

Neither team could establish a rhythm behind the arc, with both making just two 3-pointers. The Lakers picked up their defense, blocked some shots and limited their turnovers in the quarter to just three.

At halftime, the Lakers were down by six.

The Lakers started the second half shooting better from behind the arc, drilling two 3-pointers. Former Baby Laker Julius Randle was up for 17 points for the Wolves, their leading scorer. The Lakers got closer again and almost pulled within two until Minnesota extended their lead to six.

Minnesota’s lead ballooned to 10 as Los Angeles struggled with scoring and defense. The Lakers missed a pair of wide-open 3-pointers that they desperately needed. The problems for LA continued to mount and the lead was now 15 for the Wolves.

LA went on a key run to make it a 10-point game. Los Angeles’ defense tightened up and AD blocked two shots. They had pulled to within eight, but the Wolves answered again for an 11 lead at the end of the third.

Austin drained a 3-pointer to start the final frame. He knocked down another one and the purple and gold were within eight. Another 3-pointer, this time by Gabe, got the Lakers down just five, forcing a Minnesota timeout.

With six minutes left, LA started to make mistakes turning the ball over and missing five shots in a row. They fell into their bad habit of taking unnecessary shots, mainly 3-pointers, instead of playing smart basketball.

They didn’t make the right plays down the stretch and made horrendous mistakes with their rebounds.

Key takeaways:

STOP TURNING THE BALL!

Maybe they could have taken the lead a few times if they had LeBron tonight.

The mistakes, carelessness and turnover cost them every time.

LA takes way too many 3-pointers that they don’t automatically make. They have to play smart basketball. You don’t always have to throw up a three when things have been tough behind the arc as a team.

The Lakers’ next game will be Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies at 6:30 p.m. PT.

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.