Alright welcome in to the full recap of tonight's game between the Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves where the Lakers defeated the T'Wolves at Staples, the Lakers' first game back home after a 4 game road trip.
First off what a game. It's always a good thing when teams win on complete team effort. Obviously some thing need to be issued after this game, but just an outstanding, balanced team effort the Lakers put on tonight on national TV.
Let me address the positives this game, the two players that are on my headline: Pau Gasol and Nick Young. Gasol was the top performer this game with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists and Young came off the bench with 25 points. These two this game were shifting gears in the 2nd half, when Gasol was cold, Young stepped in, when Young was cold, Gasol stepped in, repeat. The negative for both is there 12 combined turnovers, but Young obviously corrected them in the 2nd half and I think didn't turn it over once. Gasol, most of his turnovers came from lazy passes and it was an uncharacteristic for a great passing big man like Pau. Young on the other hand, when he got cold, credit towards Luc Mbah a Moute for keeping him in check. Since his tenure in Milwaukee, Mbah a Moute has been one of those underrated defenders that could shut you down with his scrappy, hard-nosed style of play. Other than that, Young and Gasol came to play and did a heck of a job. Some under the radar positives, Shawne Williams and Chris Kaman. Williams and Kaman didn't have to score a lot off the bench, but they did a tremendous job cleaning the boards and providing that defensive spark. Kaman's block in the first quarter off a 3 on 1 fastbreak by the Wolves had a lot to do with our fast start and increasing momentum in the first and Williams was getting up getting after the ball. Other players in double figures: Xavier Henry, hats off to him for covering the pg spot the majority of this game scoring 21 points and Jodie Meeks contributing 17 points. Consider Meeks a hidden front runner for Most Improved Player, he didn't shot great from behind the 3, but he was penetrating, getting points off fast breaks the whole game and hopefully he keeps that up.
Onto the negatives, the turnovers I addressed in the halftime. However, after turning the ball over 13 times in the first half, the Lakers only committed 3 and that proved to be the difference maker this game, so bypass that. The true negative this game, the offensive rebounds. The Lakers were out-rebounded in 2nd chance points 22-6. The Lakers not boxing out and grabbing defensive rebounds cringe the hell out of me. Particularly when K-Love and Nikola Pekovic were being offensive rebounding machines giving the Wolves more life, no lie, I was about to tear my hair out. Can't allow 2nd chance points because that takes away some momentum and makes defensive sequences seem meaningless. But other than that like I said, Lakers got a break because the T-Wolves could not hit shots with 2nd chance points the whole game.
Overall, great team victory for the Lakers. I have all the respect for the Minnesota Timberwolves. No doubt, Kevin Love is one of the best power forwards in the game today, but the T'Wolves are just a few pieces away from contending for a playoff spot. The Lakers have the Warriors tomorrow in Oakland, Oracle is gonna be roaring so the Lakers can't sit on this win for long. Again, I have CSN Bay Area so I might do Q-by-Q, Halftime, and full recap posts, but a few relatives of mine out of state just arrived here in the Bay and we might have some occasion so I'll figure out a way to manage time. Regardless, I'll see you guys tomorrow.
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