The Lakers welcomed Steve Nash and Steve Blake back into the starting lineup as they attempted to end their six-game losing streak.
First Quarter
The Lakers came out struggling to get stops in the first quarter, as Kevin Martin scored nine of the Timberwolves first 11 points. However, the flow on the offensive end was much better, as Nash and Blake’s presence on the floor helped create better ball movement within the starting lineup. The uptempo pace would aid Nash, as he was able to get four points and four assists in the quarter despite being limited. Towards the end of the quarter, the Timberwolves went on a 9-2 run to open up a double-digit lead.
Score: Lakers trail 38-26.
Second Quarter
In the second quarter, the Timberwolves stepped on the gas and extended their lead. They got out in the fast break and ran, and as a result they were able to get a lot of easy baskets in transition. The Lakers struggled to get points, only scoring five points in the first five minutes of the period. Soon the deficit had grown to 20 points before the half-point mark of the quarter. A bright spot in the quarter was the offense of Manny Harris. He was able to score 12 points in the period, but that largely didn’t help, as the Timberwolves continued to score.
Score: Lakers trail 68-52
Third Quarter
The Lakers and Timberwolves traded baskets for the first three minutes of the second half, as neither team proved that they were capable of getting defensive stops. However the Lakers went on a min-run in the middle of the quarter to cut the lead single digits as result of their ability to get easy baskets in transition. The defense shored up in third due to the energy and effort from Manny Harris and Wesley Johnson. That run would ultimately give them a chance to make a miracle happen in the fourth quarter if they were going to end their six game losing streak.
Score: Lakers trail 89-78
Fourth Quarter
The Lakers came out in the fourth quarter and cut the Timberwolves lead to seven points after two early baskets from Kendall Marshall and Nick Young. Momentum had seemed to be swinging in the Lakers favor, but time essentially ran out for them. They failed to take advantage of the many opportunities that they had to close they gap and give themselves a chance, and as a result they lost their seventh game in a row.
Score: Lakers fall to the Timberwolves, 109-99
