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The Minnesota Timberwolves went into Arena on Saturday night and blew out the Los Angeles Lakers 117-95 in Game 1. The Timberwolves got off to a slow start but seized control in the second quarter to run away with this game and snatch homecourt advantage.
Luka Doncic's play on offense was one of the few positives on the night for the Lakers as he finished with 37 points (12-22 FG), eight rebounds, one assist, and two steals. LeBron James, meanwhile, had a relatively quiet night with 19 points (8-18 FG), five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks. As for Austin Reaves, he struggled on both ends and finished with 16 points (5-13 FG), three rebounds, and three assists.
This was a stunning defeat, and Lakers fans had some interesting reactions to it.
"Just put this one aside, we still got the series," one Lakers fan remains confident that they'll win the series.
"JJ was right when he said the Lakers' effort looked like they were playing a regular-season game. Gave up a ton of open looks at the 3 and rebounded poorly in quarters 2-4. Vando and Vincent need to be in most of the game to help on defense. Lakers should be embarrassed with their performance in Game 1," one Lakers fan called out the team for a lack of effort.
"It’s alright, we’ll get 'em next year when we land a center," another fan is already waving the white flag.
"First time we had homecourt advantage in 13 years and we play like s***," a Lakers fan cannot believe they already blew homecourt advantage.
"Wake up call, our lack of bench depth and starting Center is finally being exposed, we got 40 y/o Bron running center. I don't see us making any push this postseason; if we do, it will be a miracle," one Lakers fan thinks it would be a miracle if they go far in these playoffs.
"One of the worst playoff performances in Lakers history. Top to bottom, including coach," a Lakers fan thought this was a historic performance for all the bad reasons.
While it would be a stretch to call this one of the worst playoff games ever played by the Lakers, they certainly were very bad on both ends of the floor. They shot just 33-83 (39.8%) from the field, and the offense just wasn't clicking for much of the night.
Meanwhile, on defense, the Lakers allowed the Timberwolves to shoot 44-86 (51.2%) from the field and 21-42 (50.0%) from beyond the arc. You'd think they won't shoot this well from three again in this series, but a lot of those shots were wide-open.
The Timberwolves ranked fourth in the NBA for three-point percentage in the regular season (37.7%), and you can't afford to give them so many good looks. Naz Reid went 6-9 from three to finish with 23 points, and he probably couldn't believe his luck.
While Reid was raining down threes on the Lakers, Jaden McDaniels was having his way with them near the basket. McDaniels led the Timberwolves with 25 points, and the Lakers might need to play Jaxson Hayes more minutes, or he's going to keep attacking the basket as he did here.
As for Anthony Edwards, he had 22 points (8-22 FG), eight rebounds, nine assists, and one steal against the Lakers. It was a fine all-around showing from Edwards, who briefly left the game due to cramps, and he and the Timberwolves will be looking to seize total control of the series in Game 2 at Arena on Tuesday at 10 PM ET.
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