LAKERS vs. Timberwolves Halftime Post

Score: MIN 53 LAL 51

Alright welcome in to the halftime report of the Lakers' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where the T'Wolves currently cling on to a two point lead.

A tale of two quarters, 1st quarter the Lakers showed signs of excellent activity on both sides of the ball, but in the 2nd quarter, they pretty much shut it down thanks to boneheaded turnovers.

I'll start with the positives: Nick Young, the top performer of the game in the half, scoring 13 points on 5-6 shooting. He did have a turnover fest in the 2nd quarter, but most of the game Swaggy P, his shot selection is questionable at times like Kobe's shots, but like the ESPN commentators say he could make a run at the Sixth Man award. He's been playing consistent coming off the bench providing that scoring punch resting the starters and he's showing it again by running the offense through him. Another positive for the game, for the most part, Pau Gasol, 8 points, 6 assists on 4-6 shooting, Gasol didn't have to be great this first half and give the youngsters a boost and that showed in two of his assists to Wesley Johnson off a Minnesota turnover and that Chris Kaman block came as clean as ever in the fastbreak, which is rare. I know off topic, but Gasol has done an efficient job so far this game.

On the limbo, Xavier Henry. In the first quarter, he showed signs of stepping up in the point guard position calling players to their offensive alignment and penetrating on the pick n roll to give players open looks. In the second, a much different story, giving turnovers away. The Lakers signed Kendall Marshall like a day before this game and if X continues to have problems facilitating at the point, then D'Antoni might consider putting Marshall in to make the offense more smooth. Statistically speaking, X had 13 points, 4-10 shooting from the field.

Onto the negatives and this is a still a main topic of concern: the turnovers. The 2nd quarter was mad ugly with turnovers. Young committed some, X committed some, even Gasol was committing some turnovers in that quarter. Lakers committed a total of 10 turnovers in that one quarter and have a total of 3. The turnovers get more ugly, the more likely the Wolves will pick up the pace.

2nd half is underway, the Lakers gotta bring more energy than they did in the first half or find that again as the game goes on. One quarter doesn't mean anything and the Lakers just gotta take care of the ball and make the necessary adjustments.