Timberwolves vs. Lakers preview, kickoff time, TV schedule, keys to victory

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Date: 13 December 2024
Time: 19:00 CST
Location: Target center
TV coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM/Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Can the Wolves ground the Lakers again?

After a much-needed breather, the Minnesota Timberwolves is back at the Target Center on Friday night to face an all-too-familiar foe — the Los Angeles Lakers. If you’re thinking, “Wait, didn’t we just beat these guys by 29 points?” you would be absolutely right. But before you start charting another blowout win, let me pump the brakes a little. This matchup promises to look very different, and not just because the Lakers had a touchdown at 3 last time.

This time, both teams come well-rested, refreshed and eyeing a decisive victory for positioning in the tight Western Conference standings. For the Wolves, who sit at 12-11 and just a half game behind the 13-11 Lakers, this is the perfect opportunity to leapfrog a rival and continue their December resurgence.

Rewind: How the Wolves dominated last time

The Wolves’ last game against the Lakers was basically an NBA version of a spa day for Minnesota. They cruised to a 29-point victory behind stifling defense and a cohesive offensive effort. Anthony Davis? Neutralized. Lakers’ role players? A non-factor. LeBron James? He showed up physically, but he looked like me after trying to assemble IKEA furniture – exhausted and questioning his life choices.

But here’s the thing: The Lakers were in a back-to-back the other night, dragging themselves off a late-night flight from Salt Lake City. Friday’s game will be a different story. LeBron and Austin Reaves are listed as game-time decisions, but if LeBron plays — and I bet he does — this could be a much more exciting Lakers team.

The plan to beat the Lakers

Here’s the good news: The Wolves have already shown they know how to beat this team. The formula is simple: make life miserable for Anthony Davis.

When AD dropped 36 points on the Wolves in the season opener, it was like watching a cheat code. No one could stop him and it was clear that the wolves had to adapt. Fast forward to early December, and Rudy Gobert was leading the charge to shut down Davis. If the Wolves can replicate that swarming, paint-protecting effort, it’s hard to see the Lakers having enough firepower to overcome Minnesota’s superior depth.

LeBron is still LeBron, but he’s not the LeBron who used to crush teams with one hand tied behind his back. At this stage, the Wolves have the personnel to limit him and put the burden on the Lakers’ supporting cast. If this game comes down to names like Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and Canis favorite D’Angelo Russell, I like Minnesota’s chances.

Wolves’ keys to victory

1. Defend first:

The Wolves’ defensive intensity has been night and day compared to earlier this season. Rudy Gobert has returned to his paint-dominant ways, and the team’s wings — Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Anthony Edwards — are wreaking havoc. If they can keep the Lakers uncomfortable and force contested shots, this game should be theirs.

2. Limit turnover:

Turnovers have been the Wolves’ Achilles heel in several games this season. Giving the Lakers easy opportunities in transition is a recipe for disaster. Chris Finch needs this team to play smart, disciplined basketball.

3. Ball movement:

When the Wolves share the ball, good things happen. Isolation-heavy sets with Ant and Julius Randle dribbling the air off the ball might work in short spurts, but over-reliance on it stagnates the offense. Move the ball, find the open man and exploit the Lakers’ defensive lapses.

4. Exploit the Lakers’ defense:

Let’s be real – the Lakers are a defensive mess. If the Wolves keep their offense flowing and take quality shots, they should have no problem putting points on the board.

A chance to keep climbing

This game is about more than just one win – it’s about momentum. The Wolves are coming off a strong stretch where they showed the league what they are capable of: Blowout wins over the Lakers, Clippers and Warriors. Sure, they stumbled in their second game against Golden State, but the blueprint for success is there.

Beating the Lakers again wouldn’t just mean climbing above .500 – it would mean climbing the standings, regaining confidence and proving this team is ready to contend. With another game against Spurs coming up, Wolves are in a prime position to pick up some wins and set themselves up for a solid December.

Forecast

This won’t be the cakewalk we saw last time. The Lakers will be rested and motivated, and Anthony Davis is probably still salty about being shut out in their last meeting. But the Wolves have the talent advantage, the defensive plan and – hopefully – the focus on handling business at home. If they stick to their game plan, I expect them to pull out a hard fought win.

Final score: Wolves 112, Lakers 104.

Let’s hope we see more of the December Wolves – the team that plays lockdown defense and shares the ball – and not the disjointed group we saw in November. It’s time to take the chance and continue climbing the leaderboards.