Here is what you need to know before the Lakers’ rematch against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
1)
The Lakers and Wolves are going at it again just six days after their previous meeting. Jordan Clarkson was the difference-maker then, piling up a career-high 35 points, mainly by hitting a scorching 8-of-10 on 3-pointers.
The Lakers even trailed by eight with about two minutes left in regulation before finishing on a tear that forced overtime. They then cruised to the finish, outscoring Minnesota by 11 in the extra frame.
2)
The Lakers appeared to be heading for another win in their last game against Washington on Tuesday before running out of steam. Los Angeles shot an absurd 15-of-16 in the third quarter to take a 13-point lead into the final period. But John Wall (34 points, 14 assists) was too much to handle, as the Wizards roared back with a 37-13 fourth.
3)
Despite the final outcome, it was an encouraging performance for D’Angelo Russell, who led the Lakers with 28 points. The sophomore has found his scoring rhythm over his last five games, averaging 24.6 points on 48.8 percent shooting while also averaging 5.6 assists and 3.4 3-pointers.
4)
This month has seen the Lakers take the ball into the teeth of opposing defenses, as they lead the NBA in points in the paint in March (54.5). Much of this scoring has come via transition layups, as they also rank third in both points off turnovers (19.5) and fast-break points (17.7).
5)
The Timberwolves are looking to regain their footing after Tuesday’s one-point win over Indiana ended a six-game losing streak. Defense has been at the heart of this slide, which has seen Minnesota allow 117.0 points per game on the league’s highest opponent field goal percentage (54.3).
6)
Fortunately for the Wolves, every game is winnable with a player like Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been a top-five scorer and rebounder since the All-Star break. Towns is known to step out and hit a 3-pointer, but is most dangerous inside the arc, where he leads the league in points in the paint (13.8) and scores the second-most points out of pick-and-rolls (5.5).
7)
Towns is flanked by fellow Rookie of the Year winner Andrew Wiggins, who always seems to save his best for the Lakers. In their first meeting this year, he dropped a career-high 47 points on the purple and gold. Then, last week, he nearly won the duel with Clarkson by putting up 36 points, though he fouled out of his team’s loss.
8)
This game could end up being a battle between top-five draft picks if Brandon Ingram (tendinitis) is able to play. While Ingram has found his groove this month, Minnesota’s Kris Dunn has also begun to contribute offensively. Already a capable defender, Dunn is averaging 12.3 points in his last three games after being held to single digits in 22 straight appearances.
9)
With the likes of Towns and Gorgui Dieng patrolling the glass, Los Angeles will have to scrap against the team that allows the NBA’s fewest opponent rebounds (40.3). The Lakers actually won the battle on the boards in their last meeting with Minnesota, thanks largely to a 23-point, 12-rebound showing from Julius Randle.
10)
Selected by many as a playoff team this season, the Timberwolves will have to wait to end their 12-year postseason drought. That promises to be broken soon, as the young Wolves — whose oldest player, Brandon Rush, is just 31 — continue their rapid development.
Injury Report
Lakers: Brandon Ingram (right patellar tendinitis) is questionable.
Timberwolves: Zach LaVine (torn left ACL), Nemanja Bjelica (fractured left foot) and Nikola Pekovic (right ankle) are out for the season.
Tip-Off: 5 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes
Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW