The facial expressions on this trio of Minnesota players tell the story; the Wolves dropped Game 3 in Tuesday's gallery.
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images/NBAE
X-Factor: From Zero to 22 in 24 Minutes
Bryant
Kobe Bryant was held scoreless over the first two quarters of a playoff game for the first time since 1998. In the second half Tuesday, the Lakers superstar made up for it and then some. Bryant, who took just two shots during the first 24 minutes of play, popped in 11 points in both the third and fourth quarters. He went 5-for-10 from the field after intermission, finishing with 22 points as Los Angeles beat the Wolves 100-89 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
S. O'Neal, L.A. VGM value: 23.2 Tuesday: Shaquille O'Neal ruled the paint with 22 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots for a plus-29 efficiency rating in Game 3.
VIRTUAL GM BEST BUY
Gary Payton, L.A. VGM value: 16.0 Tuesday: Payton set the tone for the Lakers in Game 3, scoring 18 and handing out nine assists.
TIME TO TUNE IN
Wednesday on ESPN Pacers at Pistons, 8:30 p.m. ET
SPEAK IT, MAN
"My percentage isn't pretty, but I'm not going to miss them all. That hasn't worked at all this millennium, and it's not going to work."
-- Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal on the Wolves' strategy of sending him to the line.
Efficiency: 
S. O'Neal, L.A.
Gary Payton, L.A.