Lakers-Timberwolves Preview

Posted Mar 27 2013 3:10PM

The Los Angeles Lakers' lead for the Western Conference's final playoff spot is down to one game, but they could be facing the right opponent to end a three-game slide.

The Lakers have won 21 straight over the Minnesota Timberwolves heading into Wednesday night's matchup at the Target Center, although they will be without Metta World Peace.

Los Angeles (36-35) is enduring its longest skid since a four-game slide Jan. 17-23. The Lakers won 19 of 26 after that downturn before this current funk.

"We're trying to get into the playoffs right now. That's more of a disappointment," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "But we still have time to figure it out."

Los Angeles hasn't lost to Minnesota (25-44) since a 117-107 double-overtime road defeat March 6, 2007. The 21-game run is the longest current streak in the NBA of one opponent beating another and the second-longest ever for the Lakers, behind their 24-game streak over the Kansas City/Sacramento Kings between 1983-88.

The Lakers will be without World Peace, who injured his left knee in Monday's 109-103 loss at Golden State in the opener of this four-game trip. World Peace said he "felt fluid" in it, and he has been declared out indefinitely with a torn meniscus.

D'Antoni said he wasn't sure if World Peace would be back in the regular season. Jodie Meeks will start in his place Wednesday.

World Peace's absence at the defensive end could cause problems for Los Angeles, which allowed Golden State to make 10 of 23 3-pointers. The Lakers are allowing opponents to shoot 42.0 percent from beyond the arc in this slide.

"We just got to maintain our poise and just think about execution and what we're going to do," said Kobe Bryant, who scored 36 on Monday. "You got to look at what teams are doing against us in terms of spreading us out and rolling the big, and now we collapse and we're releasing the shooters. This is about the third game in a row that that's happened to us."

Minnesota may not be the type of team that can expose Los Angeles' perimeter defense. The Timberwolves are shooting an NBA-low 30.0 percent on 3s, although they made a season-high 14 on 26 attempts in Tuesday's 105-82 rout at Detroit.

"We were due for a night like this," reserve J.J. Barea said. "Our starters started getting hot, and we kept the flow going."

Barea matched a season high with 21 points as he made five 3-pointers while Nikola Pekovic needed less than 30 minutes to amass 18 points and 11 rebounds.

The Lakers have used commanding rebounding advantages in their two victories over the Wolves this season. Los Angeles held a 57-40 edge on the glass despite playing without Dwight Howard in a 111-100 road win Feb. 1 and had a 49-35 cushion in a 116-94 victory Feb. 28.

The point guard matchup between 39-year-old Steve Nash and 22-year-old Ricky Rubio also bears watching. Nash has totaled 27 points and 14 assists in the first two matchups and Rubio 22 and 20.

Rubio, however, has not reached double digits in assists in seven straight games. He came close with nine of Minnesota's 26 against the Pistons.

"It was fun to have a game like this," Rubio said. "When shots are going in, it is easier to play."

Copyright 2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Lakers win 22nd straight against Wolves 120-117

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
Posted Mar 28 2013 3:25AM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Kobe Bryant has beaten the Minnesota Timberwolves 22 straight times, and he may have gotten away with one in his latest victory.

Ricky Rubio insists Bryant fouled him on a 3-pointer on the last play of the game. Bryant said no way.

And even if he did foul Rubio, "We'd have went into overtime and won the game," Bryant said with a shrug. "Simple as that."

Just like the Lakers always do against Minnesota.

Bryant had 31 points and seven assists in his first game filling in for the injured Metta World Peace to lead the Los Angeles to a 120-117 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday night, extending the longest active winning streak against one team in the NBA.

Dwight Howard had 25 points, 16 rebounds, five blocks and five steals, and Pau Gasol added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who had lost three in a row and were playing their first game without their defensive stopper. World Peace will have surgery on a torn meniscus on Thursday, leaving the Lakers to chase the playoffs without him.

"Sometimes it's not fair because we give 100 percent and sometimes we can't control things," Rubio said. "But we have to improve things that we can control."

Down 14 with six minutes to go, the Wolves used "Hack-a-Dwight" to cut back into the lead. Howard went 2 for 8 and Chase Budinger's putback made the score 114-111 with just over a minute to play.

"We're not going anywhere without him getting over that," Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said of Howard's free throw struggles. "He'll get over it."

But Bryant hit a pull-up jumper from 22 feet and his free throw gave the Lakers a three-point lead with 3.4 seconds to go. He missed the second shot, and Rubio raced back the other way and launched a shot at the buzzer that missed. Replays appeared to show Bryant fouling Rubio, but there was no call.

Rubio stormed off the court and the Lakers walked off a winner. Again.

"I don't like to lose," said a crestfallen Rubio, who sat in his locker with a towel over his head. "I hate it. Sometimes it's tough when you give everything and something like that happens. But just keep going through. It's tough. It's tough."

Nikola Pekovic had 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who haven't beaten the Lakers since March 2007. That was before injured All-Star Kevin Love was even in college.

Lakers fans usually come out to the Target Center in full force, with a few of them using the excuse that the franchise started in Minneapolis before moving out west in 1960. But the bandwagon was a little more subdued on Wednesday night as they watched a star-studded team that just has never been able to put it all together this season try to weather another significant injury.

They started the night clinging to the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoff race, just one game ahead of Utah and Dallas.

The Lakers found out earlier in the day that World Peace needed surgery on his left knee and will be out a minimum of six weeks. For a team barely hanging on to the playoffs in the Western Conference, just about the last thing they could afford to lose - outside of Bryant and Howard, of course - was their best perimeter defender.

"He's a ferocious player," Bryant said. "Extremely physical. He gives us that emotional boost. There's a lot of games where we lack energy and he provides that for us. We need to make up for that."

The injury pushes Bryant from shooting guard to small forward, a more physically demanding position for his banged-up body, especially on defense. Bryant was harassed by Andrei Kirilenko on the offensive end, and it took him time to adjust to the bigger, stronger approach. He turned the ball over three times in the first quarter and missed his first three shots before exploding to the rim for a dunk at the end of the period.

Howard got off to a monster start, neutralizing Pekovic after a big first quarter and controlling the boards. And when he picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter, Bryant made his move. He scored 16 points in a 41-point period for the Lakers, finishing it off with a quick-trigger 3-pointer in Kirilenko's face that gave Los Angeles a 14-point lead.

Antawn Jamison had 18 points and five rebounds and Steve Nash added 16 points and eight assists for the Lakers.

Budinger had 14 points and nine boards for the Wolves.

NOTES: Bryant is now 35 points from tying Wilt Chamberlain for fourth on the career scoring list. ... The NBA announced that Warriors F David Lee was retroactively assessed a Flagrant-One foul for the elbow to the mouth that required Howard to get three stitches in his lip. ... The Wolves did make a blunder in the "Hack-a-Dwight" strategy. Luke Ridnour fouled Howard intentionally with under two minutes to play, meaning the Lakers got to choose their shooter. Nash made one of two shots.

Copyright 2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Notebook: Lakers 120, Timberwolves 117

Peter Kapsner, for NBA.com
Posted Thu Mar 28, 2013 12:12 AM - Updated Thu Mar 28, 2013 12:12 AM

THE FACTS: Dwight Howard continued his dominating stretch of basketball, scoring 25 points and adding 16 boards in the Los Angeles Lakers' narrow 120-117 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 31 points and Antawn Jamison chipped in 18 off the bench as the Lakers ended a three-game skid with a sorely needed victory in their push for the playoffs. They now cling to a one and 1/2-game lead over the Utah Jazz and surging Dallas Mavericks for the 8th seed in the West.

The Lakers nearly collapsed in the end, seeing their lead drop from 12 points with three minutes left down to two in the final minute. The game then ended in controversial fashion as Ricky Rubio appeared to be fouled by Bryant while attempting a game-tying three as time expired, but no call was made. Rubio was held to 13 points and seven assists in 29 foul-plagued minutes. The Wolves were led by Nikola Pekovich with 19 points and 16 boards.

Had the Lakers lost would have been doubly painful in their playoff push as they learned today they would be without forward Metta World Peace for the next six weeks due to a torn left meniscus suffered in Monday's loss to the Golden State Warriors.

QUOTABLE: "What do you think? I mean come on. First of all the guy should of never gone and tried to block the shot and he did. What are you going to say? He (Rubio) was pretty much beside himself. I just tried to get him off the court."
-- Timberwolves Coach Rick Adelman on the non-foul at the end of the game.

QUOTABLE II: "That's not a foul. They ain't calling that (expletive deleted). I don't think I got him. (But) we would have went into overtime and won the game."
-- Bryant's take on the game's final play.

TURNING POINT: The Lakers began the second half on an 11-1 run to turn a 50-46 halftime advantage into a 61-47 lead. The run lasted just over three minutes and was highlighted by two rim-rattling alley-oops by Howard and Bryant. Despite crawling back to within two in the closing minute, the Wolves could never fully recover.

THE STAT: After a quiet first half in which Kobe played distributor, he went off for 16 points in the third quarter as Howard went to the bench with his fourth foul at the 8:57 mark. Displaying his usual array of offensive brilliance, Kobe scored on short jumpers in the paint, attacked the rim, and drilled a high-arcing rainbow from beyond the 3-point line to complete his run.

HOT: Howard continued his torrid stretch of basketball. In addition to a dazzling series of post-moves and dunks, he's now grabbed 15 or more rebounds in 10 of his last 13 games. He ranks 1st in the NBA with 12.5 rpg.

NOT: The Timberwolves versus the Lakers. The Wolves have now lost 22 straight to Los Angeles -- the longest active losing streak by one NBA team against another. Minnesota's last win came on March 6, 2007 in a 117-107 victory.

GOOD MOVE: Giving Jamison extended minutes in the absence of World Peace. Jamison, who played less than 20 minutes in each of the last two games, logged 27 minutes tonight and chipped in five rebounds with his 18 points. He scored ten in the second quarter while the Lakers starters took a breather.

BAD MOVE: Playing Greg Stiemsma for seven minutes in the first half. Matching up mostly against Howard. Stiemsma committed three fouls and missed badly on two straight jump shots coming off the pick-and-roll.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Not only did Howard roll with 24 points and 16 boards, he added five steals and five blocks for fantasy owners. His only negative came for those in free-throw percentage leagues. Howard was a dismal 7-17 from the line, including 2 of his last 6 when the Wolves employed the "hack-a-Dwight" strategy.

QUOTABLE III: "You think about it all the time, but we are not going any place without him getting over that. He is going to get over it, we have faith in him. He'll do it, but he is not going to do it if I keep taking him out."
-- Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni on deciding whether to take Howard out at the end of close games to avoid "hack-a-Dwight."

INSIDE THE ARENA: Target Center buzzed throughout the night with a large crowd and beefed-up security force. The Lakers are second in the league in road team attendance, averaging 18,914 fans -- just 43 fewer than the Miami Heat. "Kobe is still a draw," said one security official.

NOTABLE: The Lakers shot 72 percent in the third quarter in route to 41 points -- the most points the Wolves have given up in a single quarter....If the Lakers miss the playoffs it will be only the second time in the past 18 seasons they failed to advance to the post-season. The last time was in 2004-2005.....With 31 points tonight, Bryant is now just 34 points shy of Wilt Chamberlain for 4th place on the all-time scoring list.... Tonight's game is the first of four straight at home for the Wolves. Their four opponents are a combined 60 games over .500......Adelman remains stuck at 996 career victories. If he gets to 1,000 he will be just the seventh coach in NBA history to achieve that mark.

UP NEXT: For the Lakers, Thursday @ Milwaukee, Saturday @ Sacramento, Tuesday vs. Dallas. For the Wolves, Friday vs. Oklahoma City, Saturday vs. Memphis, Monday vs. New Orleans.

• Lakers: Hill
• Timberwolves: Lee, Roy

• Lakers: Blake
• Timberwolves: Barea

• Lead Changes: 12
• Times Tied: 7

• Arena: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Officials: #25 Tony Brothers, #74 Curtis Blair, #23 Jason Phillips
• Attendance: 18029
• Duration: 2:20

Los Angeles Lakers (37-35)		Minnesota Timberwolves (25-45)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Pekovic vs Howard (Rubio gains possession)
	11:39	Rubio Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Howard Hook Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Nash (1 AST)	11:25 [LAL 2-0]
	11:06 [MIN 2-2]	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Bryant Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)	11:06
	11:06	Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
	11:05	Williams Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	11:02	Williams Layup Shot: Missed Block: Howard (1 BLK)
	11:00	Williams Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)
	10:57	Rubio Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Meeks (1 ST)
Gasol Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Kirilenko (1 ST)	10:55
	10:53 [MIN 4-2]	Kirilenko Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Gasol Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Nash (2 AST)	10:35 [LAL 4-4]
	10:20	Williams Jump Shot: Missed
	10:19	Pekovic Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	10:18 [MIN 6-4]	Pekovic Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
	10:07	Rubio Foul: Personal (1 PF)
Nash Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Pekovic (1 ST)	10:02
Gasol Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	09:58
	09:58	Williams Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	09:58	Team Rebound
	09:58	Williams Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Howard Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:58
Gasol Hook Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Nash (3 AST)	09:45 [LAL 6-6]
	09:30	Pekovic Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Howard (1 ST)
Gasol Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Bryant (1 AST)	09:25 [LAL 8-6]
	09:07	Rubio Running Layup Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	09:06
Nash 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS)	08:59 [LAL 11-6]
	08:38	Rubio Jump Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:37
Bryant Fadeaway Jump Shot: Missed	08:11
Meeks Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	08:10
Nash 3pt Shot: Missed	08:04
	08:03	Pekovic Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	07:49 [MIN 8-11]	Pekovic Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (1 AST)
Nash Jump Shot: Missed	07:33
	07:31	Rubio Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:19 [MIN 11-11]	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Rubio (1 AST)
Gasol Jump Shot: Missed	07:00
	06:59	Team Rebound
	06:45	Ridnour Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Gasol (1 ST)
Gasol Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Rubio (1 ST)	06:38
	06:32 [MIN 13-11]	Ridnour Pullup Jump shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Rubio (2 AST)
Gasol Layup Shot: Missed Block: Pekovic (1 BLK)	06:14
	06:11	Pekovic Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
Howard Foul: Personal (1 PF)	06:07
	06:00	Kirilenko Jump Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	05:59
Meeks 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Bryant (2 AST)	05:48 [LAL 14-13]
	05:22	Williams Jump Shot: Missed
	05:21	Pekovic Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	05:21 [MIN 15-14]	Pekovic Tip Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	05:03
Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	05:02
Gasol Putback Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	04:59 [LAL 16-15]
	04:38	Pekovic Layup Shot: Missed
Howard Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	04:37
	04:36	Team Timeout : Regular
Gasol Substitution replaced by Jamison	04:36
Nash Substitution replaced by Blake	04:36
Howard Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Jamison (1 AST)	04:25 [LAL 18-15]
	03:59 [MIN 17-18]	Pekovic Turnaround Hook Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Jamison Jump Shot: Missed	03:44
Howard Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	03:43
	03:43	Pekovic Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Howard Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	03:43
Team Rebound	03:43
Meeks Substitution replaced by Clark	03:43
Howard Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)	03:43 [LAL 19-17]
Howard Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	03:34
	03:34 [MIN 18-19]	Pekovic Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)
Howard Substitution replaced by Gasol	03:34
	03:34	Ridnour Substitution replaced by Budinger
	03:34 [MIN 19-19]	Pekovic Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)
Clark 3pt Shot: Missed	03:15
Clark Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	03:13
Clark Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Budinger (1 ST)	03:10
	03:03	Pekovic Layup Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	03:02
Bryant Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	02:58
Team Timeout : Regular	02:58
	02:44	Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed
Jamison Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	02:43
Blake 3pt Shot: Missed	02:33
Clark Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	02:31
Clark Layup Shot: Missed	02:21
	02:20	Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	02:11	Rubio Running Layup Shot: Missed
	02:10	Pekovic Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)
	02:09	Pekovic Tip Shot: Missed
	02:08	Pekovic Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)
	02:06	Pekovic Layup Shot: Missed Block: Gasol (1 BLK)
Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	02:05
	01:54	Budinger Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	01:54
Team Rebound	01:54
	01:54	Rubio Substitution replaced by Barea
	01:54	Pekovic Substitution replaced by Stiemsma
Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)	01:54 [LAL 20-19]
	01:52	Williams Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Bryant (1 ST)
Jamison Layup Shot: Missed	01:48
Jamison Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	01:47
Jamison Tip Shot: Made (2 PTS)	01:47 [LAL 22-19]
Blake Foul: Personal (1 PF) (2 FTA)	01:38
	01:38 [MIN 20-22]	Barea Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	01:38 [MIN 21-22]	Barea Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Bryant Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Kirilenko (2 ST)	01:25
	01:20	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Missed
Jamison Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	01:18
Bryant Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Barea (1 ST)	01:03
	00:55.9	Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:53.9	Barea Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	00:45.7 [MIN 23-22]	Williams Reverse Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Barea (1 AST)
	00:35.6	Stiemsma Foul: Personal (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	00:35.6 [LAL 23-23]
	00:35.6	Williams Substitution replaced by Cunningham
Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	00:35.6 [LAL 24-23]
	00:21.9	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	00:19.9
Bryant Driving Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS)	00:03.9 [LAL 26-23]
	00:00.0	Barea 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 1st Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (37-35)		Minnesota Timberwolves (25-45)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Howard Jump Shot: Missed Block: Stiemsma (1 BLK)	11:45
	11:43	Team Rebound
	11:29 [MIN 25-26]	Shved Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Nash Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Shved (1 ST)	11:18
	11:13 [MIN 27-26]	Barea Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
	11:05	Stiemsma Foul: Personal (2 PF)
Howard Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)	11:02
	10:45	Stiemsma Jump Shot: Missed
Howard Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	10:44
Clark Jump Shot: Missed	10:31
	10:29	Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:23	Barea Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Blake (1 ST)
Howard Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Shved (2 ST)	10:21
	10:08	Stiemsma Jump Shot: Missed
Clark Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	10:07
Blake 3pt Shot: Missed	09:57
	09:56	Barea Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	09:48	Barea 3pt Shot: Missed
Clark Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	09:47
Jamison Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Blake (1 AST)	09:36 [LAL 28-27]
	09:18 [MIN 29-28]	Budinger Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Jamison 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Nash (4 AST)	09:08 [LAL 31-29]
	08:54 [MIN 31-31]	Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Barea (2 AST)
	08:39	Shved Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
	08:39
Clark Substitution replaced by Meeks	08:39
Jamison Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)	08:39 [LAL 32-31]
Jamison Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)	08:39 [LAL 33-31]
	08:23	Budinger Jump Shot: Missed
Howard Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	08:22
Blake Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	08:11
	08:03	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
Howard Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	08:02
Blake Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Cunningham (1 ST)	07:51
	07:45	Barea Layup Shot: Missed Block: Howard (2 BLK)
Blake Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:44
Meeks 3pt Shot: Missed	07:38
	07:37	Team Rebound
	07:25	Shved 3pt Shot: Missed
	07:23	Stiemsma Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	07:12	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
Howard Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	07:11
Howard Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Nash (5 AST)	06:58 [LAL 35-31]
	06:58	Stiemsma Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (1 FTA)
	06:58	Stiemsma Substitution replaced by Pekovic
Howard Free Throw 1 of 1 (8 PTS)	06:58 [LAL 36-31]
	06:43 [MIN 34-36]	Shved 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Barea (3 AST)
Blake 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Nash (6 AST)	06:28 [LAL 39-34]
Blake Foul: Personal (2 PF)	06:11
	06:02	Cunningham Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
	05:52	Pekovic Foul: Shooting Block (2 PF) (2 FTA)
	05:52	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:52	Cunningham Substitution replaced by Williams
Blake Substitution replaced by Bryant	05:52
Jamison Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)	05:52 [LAL 40-34]
Jamison Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	05:52
	05:52	Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	05:38	Pekovic Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Howard (2 ST)
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed Block: Budinger (1 BLK)	05:18
	05:16	Williams Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
Jamison Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	05:09
	05:09 [MIN 35-40]	Pekovic Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)
Jamison Substitution replaced by Gasol	05:09
	05:09	Pekovic Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Howard Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)	05:09
Howard Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Bryant (3 AST)	04:55 [LAL 42-35]
	04:30	Williams Layup Shot: Missed Block: Howard (3 BLK)
Bryant Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	04:28
Howard Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Budinger (2 ST)	04:09
	04:00 [MIN 38-42]	Budinger 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Shved (1 AST)
Nash Foul: Offensive (1 PF)	03:48
Nash Turnover : Foul (3 TO)	03:48
	03:48	Barea Substitution replaced by Rubio
	03:48	Shved Substitution replaced by Ridnour
	03:33	Pekovic Layup Shot: Missed Block: Howard (4 BLK)
Howard Rebound (Off:1 Def:8)	03:32
	03:26	Rubio Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Howard Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	03:26
Team Rebound	03:26
	03:26	Budinger Substitution replaced by Kirilenko
Howard Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)	03:26 [LAL 43-38]
	03:11	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Missed
Howard Rebound (Off:1 Def:9)	03:10
	03:10	Kirilenko Foul: Personal (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Howard Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	03:10
Team Rebound	03:10
Howard Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)	03:10 [LAL 44-38]
	03:01	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Missed
Howard Rebound (Off:1 Def:10)	03:00
Bryant Driving Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS)	02:55 [LAL 46-38]
	02:36 [MIN 40-46]	Williams Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Rubio (3 AST)
Nash Turnover : Lost Ball (4 TO) Steal:Kirilenko (3 ST)	02:28
Nash Foul: Personal Take (2 PF)	02:27
Team Timeout : Regular	02:27
	02:14 [MIN 42-46]	Rubio Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Howard Reverse Layup Shot: Missed	01:48
	01:46	Pekovic Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)
Howard Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	01:41
	01:41 [MIN 43-46]	Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
Howard Substitution replaced by Jamison	01:41
	01:41 [MIN 44-46]	Kirilenko Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
Gasol Jump Shot: Missed	01:28
Jamison Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	01:27
Jamison Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Bryant (4 AST)	01:11 [LAL 48-44]
	00:55.9	Williams 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:54.7	Pekovic Rebound (Off:5 Def:3)
	00:52.9	Pekovic Putback Layup Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	00:51.4
Bryant Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS)	00:40.8 [LAL 50-44]
Jamison Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	00:26.4
	00:26.4 [MIN 45-50]	Pekovic Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)
	00:26.4 [MIN 46-50]	Pekovic Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	00:03.9
	00:02.9	Williams Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
End of 2nd Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (37-35)		Minnesota Timberwolves (25-45)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Bryant Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Meeks (1 AST)	11:47 [LAL 52-46]
	11:31	Williams Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Howard (3 ST)
Nash 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Bryant (5 AST)	11:22 [LAL 55-46]
	11:17	Team Timeout : Regular
	11:05	Kirilenko Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)
Nash Turnover : Bad Pass (5 TO) Steal:Pekovic (2 ST)	10:56
Meeks Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	10:53
	10:53 [MIN 47-55]	Williams Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
	10:53	Williams Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Howard Rebound (Off:1 Def:11)	10:53
Howard Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Nash (7 AST)	10:40 [LAL 57-47]
	10:25	Williams Jump Shot: Missed
Bryant Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	10:24
Gasol Hook Shot: Made (11 PTS)	10:06 [LAL 59-47]
Bryant Foul: Personal (2 PF)	09:51
	09:46	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
Bryant Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	09:45
Meeks Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Bryant (6 AST)	09:41 [LAL 61-47]
Bryant Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	09:23
	09:23 [MIN 48-61]	Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	09:23 [MIN 49-61]	Kirilenko Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Howard Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	09:08
	09:06	Pekovic Rebound (Off:5 Def:4)
Howard Foul: Shooting (4 PF) (2 FTA)	08:57
	08:57 [MIN 50-61]	Pekovic Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)
Howard Substitution replaced by Jamison	08:57
	08:57 [MIN 51-61]	Pekovic Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)
Nash Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Gasol (1 AST)	08:47 [LAL 63-51]
	08:30 [MIN 53-63]	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Rubio (4 AST)
Gasol Jump Shot: Missed	08:13
Jamison Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	08:12
Jamison Jump Shot: Missed	08:11
	08:10	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:59	Pekovic Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Gasol (2 ST)
Bryant Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Meeks (2 AST)	07:54 [LAL 65-53]
	07:33 [MIN 55-65]	Rubio Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	07:15
Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)	07:14
Gasol Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS)	07:13 [LAL 67-55]
	06:46	Kirilenko 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	06:46
Nash Pullup Jump shot: Made (10 PTS)	06:37 [LAL 69-55]
	06:30	Williams Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO)
Meeks 3pt Shot: Missed	06:24
	06:23	Pekovic Rebound (Off:5 Def:5)
	06:17 [MIN 57-69]	Rubio Driving Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Bryant Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS)	06:02 [LAL 71-57]
	05:42	Pekovic Jump Shot: Missed
	05:41	Williams Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)
	05:40 [MIN 59-71]	Williams Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Meeks Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)	05:40
Nash Substitution replaced by Blake	05:40
	05:40 [MIN 60-71]	Williams Free Throw 1 of 1 (8 PTS)
	05:26	Rubio Foul: Personal (3 PF)
Bryant Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Rubio (2 ST)	05:25
	05:21 [MIN 62-71]	Rubio Driving Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (2 AST)
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	05:03
	05:02	Williams Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)
Blake Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	04:55
	04:55	Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	04:55	Team Rebound
Meeks Substitution replaced by Clark	04:55
	04:55 [MIN 63-71]	Kirilenko Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Clark (1 AST)	04:39 [LAL 74-63]
	04:28	Rubio Layup Shot: Missed
Blake Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	04:27
Jamison 3pt Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Clark (2 AST)	04:15 [LAL 77-63]
	04:15	Rubio Foul: Shooting (4 PF) (1 FTA)
	04:15	Rubio Substitution replaced by Barea
Jamison Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed	04:15
	04:15	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	04:03 [MIN 65-77]	Ridnour Pullup Jump shot: Made (7 PTS)
Blake 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Gasol (2 AST)	03:42 [LAL 80-65]
	03:21 [MIN 68-80]	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Bryant Running Jump Shot: Made (19 PTS)	03:09 [LAL 82-68]
	02:54 [MIN 70-82]	Williams Driving Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (1 AST)
Bryant Turnover : Traveling (5 TO)	02:38
Team Timeout : Regular	02:38
	02:29	Pekovic Foul: Offensive (3 PF)
	02:29	Pekovic Turnover : Foul (4 TO)
Bryant Fadeaway Jump Shot: Made (21 PTS)	02:17 [LAL 84-70]
Blake Violation:Kicked Ball	02:05
	01:59	Pekovic Jump Shot: Missed Block: Jamison (1 BLK)
	01:58	Team Rebound
	01:53 [MIN 72-84]	Williams Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (3 AST)
Blake Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Gasol (3 AST)	01:29 [LAL 86-72]
	01:11 [MIN 75-86]	Williams 3pt Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Barea (4 AST)
Gasol Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Bryant (7 AST)	00:50.0 [LAL 88-75]
Blake Foul: Shooting (4 PF) (2 FTA)	00:38.1
Blake Technical	00:38.1
	00:38.1 [MIN 76-88]	Ridnour Free Throw Technical (11 PTS)
	00:38.1	Barea Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	00:38.1	Team Rebound
	00:38.1 [MIN 77-88]	Barea Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Made (24 PTS)	00:21.3 [LAL 91-77]
	00:02.8 [MIN 79-91]	Barea Fadeaway Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Blake 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.0
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 3rd Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (37-35)		Minnesota Timberwolves (25-45)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:43 [MIN 81-91]	Budinger Running Reverse Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Pekovic (1 AST)
Clark Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)	11:43
	11:43 [MIN 82-91]	Budinger Free Throw 1 of 1 (8 PTS)
Howard Layup Shot: Missed	11:30
	11:29	Pekovic Rebound (Off:5 Def:6)
	11:20	Shved Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Howard (4 ST)
Blake Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Missed	11:10
	11:09	Pekovic Rebound (Off:5 Def:7)
	10:58 [MIN 84-91]	Barea Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS)
	10:47	Shved Foul: Personal (2 PF)
Clark Substitution replaced by Meeks	10:47
Blake Jump Shot: Missed	10:38
Howard Rebound (Off:2 Def:11)	10:37
Howard Slam Dunk Shot: Made (16 PTS)	10:35 [LAL 93-84]
	10:14	Budinger Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Howard (5 ST)
Blake Jump Shot: Missed	09:59
	09:58	Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
Blake Foul: Personal (5 PF)	09:56
	09:50	Shved Pullup Jump shot: Missed
Blake Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	09:49
Howard Jump Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Nash (8 AST)	09:34 [LAL 95-84]
	09:20 [MIN 86-95]	Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Barea (5 AST)
Jamison Driving Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Blake (2 AST)	09:01 [LAL 97-86]
	09:01	Budinger Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)
Jamison Free Throw 1 of 1 (18 PTS)	09:01 [LAL 98-86]
	08:45 [MIN 88-98]	Barea Floating Jump shot: Made (11 PTS)
	08:41	Barea Technical
	08:41
Nash Free Throw Technical (11 PTS)	08:41 [LAL 99-88]
	08:34	Shved Foul: Personal (3 PF)
Jamison Jump Shot: Missed	08:28
	08:27	Pekovic Rebound (Off:5 Def:8)
Nash Foul: Personal Block (3 PF)	08:22
Jamison Substitution replaced by Gasol	08:22
	08:15 [MIN 90-99]	Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Barea (6 AST)
Meeks Jump Shot: Missed	07:57
Howard Rebound (Off:3 Def:11)	07:55
	07:55	Barea Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Howard Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	07:55
Team Rebound	07:55
Nash Substitution replaced by Bryant	07:55
Howard Free Throw 2 of 2 (19 PTS)	07:55 [LAL 100-90]
	07:42	Barea Pullup Jump shot: Missed
Team Rebound	07:40
Bryant Foul: Offensive Charge (4 PF)	07:24
Bryant Turnover : Foul (6 TO)	07:24
	07:14	Shved 3pt Shot: Missed
Meeks Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	07:13
	07:04	Shved Substitution replaced by Rubio
Gasol Jump Shot: Made (17 PTS)	06:58 [LAL 102-90]
	06:53	Rubio Layup Shot: Missed
Howard Rebound (Off:3 Def:12)	06:52
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	06:29
Meeks Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	06:27
Howard Dunk Shot: Made (21 PTS) Assist: Meeks (3 AST)	06:24 [LAL 104-90]
	06:11 [MIN 92-104]	Cunningham Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Rubio (5 AST)
Howard Jump Shot: Made (23 PTS) Assist: Blake (3 AST)	05:53 [LAL 106-92]
Blake Foul: Personal (6 PF)	05:41
	05:41	Team Timeout : Regular
Blake Substitution replaced by Nash	05:41
	05:31	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
	05:30	Team Rebound
	05:27 [MIN 94-106]	Budinger Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Barea (7 AST)
Meeks 3pt Shot: Missed	05:08
	05:07	Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	04:58	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
Meeks Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	04:57
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	04:40
	04:39	Rubio Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Nash Foul: Shooting (4 PF) (2 FTA)	04:35
	04:35	Rubio Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	04:35	Team Rebound
	04:35 [MIN 95-106]	Rubio Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)
Nash Jump Shot: Missed	04:22
	04:21	Cunningham Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:11	Barea 3pt Shot: Missed
Howard Rebound (Off:3 Def:13)	04:10
Howard Turnover : Lost Ball (4 TO) Steal:Cunningham (2 ST)	04:07
	03:52 [MIN 97-106]	Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Rubio (6 AST)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Made (27 PTS)	03:27 [LAL 109-97]
	03:09	Rubio Layup Shot: Missed
	03:08	Pekovic Rebound (Off:6 Def:8)
	03:06 [MIN 99-109]	Pekovic Putback Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS)
	03:01	Barea Foul: Personal (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Nash Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)	03:01 [LAL 110-99]
Nash Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)	03:01 [LAL 111-99]
Nash Foul: Personal (5 PF) (2 FTA)	02:56
Team Timeout : Regular	02:56
	02:56	Barea Substitution replaced by Ridnour
	02:56 [MIN 100-111]	Rubio Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)
	02:56 [MIN 101-111]	Rubio Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)
	02:56	Ridnour Foul: Personal Take (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Howard Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	02:56
Team Rebound	02:56
Howard Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	02:56
	02:56	Cunningham Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	02:47	Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed Block: Gasol (2 BLK)
	02:46	Budinger Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	02:43	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:7)	02:42
	02:40	Cunningham Foul: Personal Take (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Howard Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	02:40
Team Rebound	02:40
Howard Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	02:40
	02:40	Budinger Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)
Howard Violation:Kicked Ball	02:34
	02:28	Rubio Jump Shot: Missed Block: Howard (5 BLK)
	02:26	Ridnour Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	02:24 [MIN 103-111]	Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (2 AST)
	02:19	Ridnour Foul: Personal Take (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Howard Free Throw 1 of 2 (24 PTS)	02:19 [LAL 112-103]
Howard Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	02:19
	02:19	Budinger Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)
	02:11	Budinger Layup Shot: Missed
	02:10	Cunningham Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	02:07 [MIN 105-112]	Budinger Driving Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Cunningham (1 AST)
	02:04	Budinger Foul: Personal Take (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Howard Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	02:04
Team Rebound	02:04
Howard Free Throw 2 of 2 (25 PTS)	02:04 [LAL 113-105]
	01:58 [MIN 107-113]	Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Rubio (7 AST)
	01:57	Ridnour Foul: Away From Play (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Nash Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	01:57
Team Rebound	01:57
Nash Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	01:57 [LAL 114-107]
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	01:39
	01:38	Pekovic Rebound (Off:6 Def:9)
	01:35 [MIN 109-114]	Rubio Driving Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS)
Nash Turnover : Bad Pass (6 TO) Steal:Rubio (3 ST)	01:18
	01:11	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
	01:10	Budinger Rebound (Off:2 Def:7)
	01:09 [MIN 111-114]	Budinger Putback Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)
Bryant Pullup Jump shot: Made (29 PTS)	00:48.3 [LAL 116-111]
	00:48.3	Team Timeout : Regular
	00:39.1 [MIN 113-116]	Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Budinger (1 AST)
Meeks Jump Shot: Missed	00:18.9
Team Rebound	00:15.5
	00:15.5	Cunningham Foul: Loose Ball (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (30 PTS)	00:15.5 [LAL 117-113]
Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	00:15.5
	00:15.5	Ridnour Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	00:15.2	Team Timeout : Short
	00:12.9	Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:11.8	Cunningham Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	00:11.8 [MIN 115-117]	Cunningham Putback Layup Shot: Made (18 PTS)
	00:09.4	Cunningham Foul: Personal Take (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Nash Free Throw 1 of 2 (15 PTS)	00:09.4 [LAL 118-115]
Nash Free Throw 2 of 2 (16 PTS)	00:09.4 [LAL 119-115]
	00:09.4	Team Timeout : Short
	00:05.9	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
	00:04.9	Pekovic Rebound (Off:7 Def:9)
Howard Violation:Defensive Goaltending	00:04.2
	00:04.2 [MIN 117-119]	Pekovic Putback Layup Shot: Made (19 PTS)
	00:03.4	Budinger Foul: Personal Take (4 PF) (2 FTA)
Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (31 PTS)	00:03.4 [LAL 120-117]
Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	00:03.4
	00:03.4	Rubio Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	00:00.2	Rubio 3pt Shot: Missed Block: Bryant (1 BLK)
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 4th Quarter