Luka Doncic and LeBron James understood each other again and Los Angeles Lakers recovered the illusion on Tuesday for aspiring to the NBA champions title by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second assault for 94-85 (1-1 in the series).
The stars of the glamorous club Angelino demonstrated again their synergy in a match in which they started with the pilas renewed and willing to compensate for the bitter encounter last Saturday, in which they lost for a difference of 22 points.
An unstoppable Doncic (on the edge of triple-double with 31 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists) returned to the traces with a fabulous first quarter in which he scored 16 of the 34 points that the Lakers (third parties in the west) achieved compared to the 15 goals of those of Minesota (sixth).
With the advantage in hand and with the Slovenian making a demonstration of strength, James had the perfect cocktail to resurface in a match in which he registered 21 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists, a radical change with respect to the previous meeting.
His versatility allowed him to be key again in several plays: he was much more active, managed to comment with the team and activated the infallible success formula that forms with Doncic.
In a match that breathed airs of comeback, Austin Reaves did not stay behind 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
The Wolves, or breathe calm
The Wolves had to suffer the worst part: the Angels did not let the rival breathe, which remained at all times below the scoreboard, without the possibility of overcoming and even losing 22 points on some occasions.
The Lakers fit 117 points in the first meeting, but in the second their defense grew a lot and left the Wolves in just 85 points, which represents Minesota’s slightest annotation throughout the season.
Both the Lakers (5 of 25) and the Wolves (6 of 29) suffered from the perimeter. Especially notable was the difference in the case of Minesota, which in the first game had broken his triple record in the ‘playoff’ with 21 hits.
Although they managed to cut distances in the last quarter and tried not to make it easy, not even their best stars, Anthony Edwards, with their 25 points 6 rebounds, and Julius Randle, who became the top scorer of the Wolves, with 27 points and 6 assists, managed to cope with the Lakers machinery.
Anthony Edwards tries to overcome Doncic
And it is that in the stands he delivered to the maximum in the support call to relive the club, surrendering to each ball that led Doncic and shouting ‘MVP’ (more valuable player) when he jumped towards the basket.
While the public encouraged strongly, the Lakers did not stop offering the show that was expected and adding points, reaching the break with 58-43 and with a 55.6 % field shooting average compared to 40.5 % of the rival.
The third quarter was more agitated for the JJ Redick as a whole, but they managed to further enlarge their advantage against the rival, placing 16 points above (81-65).
Little margin of error left the last period in which, although the Wolves cut distances and threatened with a comeback in the outcome, failed to turn around a match that had been written since the initial jump.
Crypto.com Arena was attended by Hollywood personalities such as Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin, who received a personalized shirt from the Lakers; or Jason Segel (‘How I Met Your Mother’).
The Lakers face the challenge of maintaining this spectacular rhythm in the following two meetings that will play next Friday and Sunday in Mineapolis.
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