Dave McMenaminApr 23, 2025, 05:28 AM ET
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- Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.
- Lined the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.
LOS ANGELES — With the Lakers’ lead, which was once as soon as 22 issues, lower in part halfway in the course of the 3rd quarter of Tuesday’s Recreation 2 in opposition to the Timberwolves, an irate JJ Redick stormed onto the courtroom to name timeout ahead of Luka Doncic may just inbound the ball from the sideline.
“What the f— is happening?!” Redick might be heard shouting at the TNT broadcast, together with his workforce main 62-51 with 7:40 to move within the 3rd. “What the f— are you guys doing? Come on!”
After the huddle, Los Angeles used a 9-0 run to push its lead again to twenty and held directly to win 94-85 to even the first-round collection 1-1.
“That is JJ,” LeBron James stated of the first-year trainer’s outburst. “Clearly we wish to concentrate to the message and no longer how he is turning in it. … I assumed we answered after that.”
The theme of the night time was once how the Lakers had been in a position to reply, no longer simply from their trainer’s prodding but additionally from the 117-95 drubbing they skilled in Saturday’s Recreation 1 when the Timberwolves ruled in just about each and every side of the sport.
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After being outscored 25-6 in fast-break issues in Recreation 1, Los Angeles led 13-6 in Recreation 2. After Minnesota set a franchise postseason report via going 21-for-42 on 3-pointers within the opener, the Lakers held the Timberwolves to 5-for-25 on 3s on Tuesday. After the Timberwolves managed the forums 44-38 in Recreation 1, the Lakers had the rebounding edge 41-34.
Up to the variation might be proven in statistics, James stated it got here all the way down to Los Angeles’ demeanor.
“We knew the day gone by at observe,” James stated when requested when he knew the Lakers can be able. “We had a tricky observe the day gone by, and we went at it the day gone by. One of the vital perfect practices now we have had all yr. We roughly knew popping out of that what form of disposition we needed to play with.”
Doncic scored 31 issues and had 9 assists after scoring 37 in Recreation 1, however he tied his profession postseason low with one lend a hand within the collection opener.
“Is 9 assists excellent sufficient for you?” Doncic jokingly stated to ESPN as he stood up from the postgame podium after being requested about how he balanced his scoring and passing following Saturday’s loss.
3 different Lakers starters scored in double digits. James had 21 issues on 8-for-19 taking pictures with 11 rebounds and seven assists, Austin Reaves had 16 issues with 5 rebounds and 5 assists, and Rui Hachimura had 11 issues with 5 rebounds and a pair of steals.
James’ thieve from Timberwolves megastar Anthony Edwards and ranking at the different finish with 2:40 to move within the fourth quarter helped in the end seal the victory.
“He made a successful play,” Doncic stated.
JJ Redick’s profane outburst helped the Lakers regroup and in the end shut out the win in Recreation 2. EPA/Caroline Brehman/Shutterstock
Hachimura additionally made performs on each ends of the ground and was once credited via Redick for enjoying competitive after you have hit within the face within the first quarter and desiring to go away the sport to be have compatibility for a face masks.
“He performed like a warrior this night,” Redick stated of Hachimura. “I am positive that he’s most certainly within the X-ray room at this time. There have been a couple of performs that he made simply getting deflections and disrupting performs. … He was once superior.”
However the Lakers as a workforce appeared unsightly from time to time. They scored simply 13 issues on 5-for-19 taking pictures (0-for-5 from 3) with six turnovers within the fourth quarter, however by no means let their lead dip beneath 9.
Lakers president of basketball operations and normal supervisor Rob Pelinka glowingly referred to the efficiency as a “rock combat” as he made his manner out of the world Tuesday.
On the other hand, his workforce discovered attractiveness in figuring out it will fit the brutality of the Timberwolves’ entrance line that includes the 7-foot-1 Rudy Gobert, 6-9 Jaden McDaniels and 6-9 Julius Randle.
“I believe it simply is going again to the opposite night time after we principally were given punked,” Reaves stated. “They got here in right here, Recreation 1, and punked us. You have to inform from the power within the locker room after the sport that no person was once fearful about what we now have. We simply needed to cross available in the market and compete each and every unmarried ownership.”
Now they’re going to need to do it once more in Recreation 3 at the street Friday to win again home-court benefit.
“Going into Minnesota goes to be a conflict,” Doncic stated. “The lovers are going to be cheering like loopy. So it doesn’t matter what, we will be able to’t panic. We were given to stick in combination. And that is the reason on me and Bron to stay the workforce in combination.”
