Lakers Practice Report: 12/10/09

Here’s a bit of historical context for L.A.’s fantastic defensive fourth quarter that closed the team’s 101-77 win over Utah: the six points managed by Utah on 2-of-18 shooting is the third fewest points in a fourth quarter in recent record.

Only the Golden State Warriors in 2004 (two points) and the Portland Trail Blazers in 2006 (five points) saw the ball go through the net fewer times in crunch time.

Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol weighed in on the team’s outstanding defense – which ranks first in the NBA in field goal percentage allowed (42.3 percent), often the best indicator of success – and delved into their coming opponent, the Kurt Rambis-led Minnesota Timberwolves.

Though the Wolves have played better basketball since the return of Kevin Love (beating Utah and narrowly losing to New Orleans and Toronto), they have just three victories on the year, and are much smaller than the other team that runs the triangle offense.

The Lakers will be looking to win their 11th straight game for the first time since 2003-04, when the team didn’t lose from March 13 to April 2.

Jackson, Bryant and Gasol all discussed the matchup, focusing on playing against their former assistant coach.