Lakers Wear Down Wolves

They already lost to the worst team in the league. So it wouldn’t be too shocking if the Lakers slacked off and dropped one to the second worst team in the L. Early on it looked like déjà vu all over again as the Lake Show opened lethargic in Minnesota.

Sloppy play allowed the T-Wolves to take a lead into the half and expand it in the third. Chalk it up to the turnover bug infecting the offense. That and some poor shot selection made for a frustrating night…until the Lakers hit that switch.

This is becoming a welcome trend as Phil Jackson is getting his men to play suffocating defense in the second half.

Much like Sunday’s shutdown of Oklahoma City, the Lakers put the Wolves into hibernation allowing just 34 second half points.

Kevin Love has made plenty of headlines by posting some serious fantasy numbers. But not against all the size the Lake Show throws at him. The former Bruin got another double-double (13 and 11) but shot an awful 2 of 10 from the floor.

The problem for the opposition is it’s just too hard to compete when you’ve got one guy doing the daily double and Lakers have at least two. Pau Gasol (12 and 17) and Lamar Odom (12 and 11) gave Love and Darko fits. Milicic killed the Lakers last time these two tangled. Tonight he was a complete non-factor. The man picked ahead of Melo didn’t even get his first bucket until late in the game.

While the defense was dominant, the offense was dormant.

The Lakers were snoozing on O for the first half but managed to get into a rhythm in the third that put this game to sleep.

Kobe struggled from the field (8 of 18) but still got his, dropping a game-high 24. His shot has been off the last two games but given his overall form during this five game win streak, I’m not worried.

While it is nice to see the Lakers put lesser comp to bed, it can be frustrating waiting for them to get that lullaby going.

After a busy week the Purple and Gold can relax a little with two nights off. But they’d better not get too comfortable. Waiting for them Friday are those impossible to beat Bobcats. Playing this kind of D will always give you a chance at a W but the offense needs to improve in order to run with Charlotte.