Kobe Bryant and Jeremy Lin finally had a successful game together. They combined for 44 points, 18 of 33 from the field, 16 assists, and 9 steals on just 5 turnovers.
Individually, the stat sheet shows impressive numbers.
Jeremy Lin finished with 18 points and 11 assists on 8 of 15 shooting from the field. Though he shot 2 of 7 behind the arc, he also contributed 4 steals with 3 turnovers. Kobe Bryant finished with 26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals on 10 of 18 shooting from the field. Though he missed two critical free throws late in the game, he is also credited with hitting a critical shot to tie the game against the Timberwolves, with a 12′ diagonal jumper after a series of pumpfakes.
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Admittedly, the Timberwolves didn’t play the strongest of defenses out there. Lin was able to involve the team, while Kobe Bryant found a specific target in Nick Young, finding him in the second half and getting him going late. Even Nick Young had a good game with 16 points on 6 of 12 shooting from the field, coming back after a series of sub-par games.
Although the Lakers lost by one point, Kobe Bryant did have a good look behind the arc. He has certainly hit more difficult shots to win games in the past. The Lakers as a whole, can’t really rely on last minute heroics. In the past, Kobe Bryant hit three game-winning shots on a series of back-to-back games. It allowed the Lakers to steal victories, despite playing subpar as a unit.
This time around, more trust is needed. The Laker guard play was clearly on display. The Lakers racked up over 50 points in the paint. The team as a whole was out and running in transition. It was reminiscent of the Mike D’Antoni offense in terms of tempo, instead of the slow-down, gritty defensive play that Byron Scott wanted to implement.
It cost them.
After coming out to a 30-23 lead in the first quarter, the Lakers lost the three subsequent quarters; 31-28, 39-38, 27-23. The Lakers had an eight-point lead with under four minutes to go, and gave it up just as quickly. The Timberwolves shot 57% for the game.
The Timberwolves have what the Lakers don’t have; a group of very young, talented players full of promise, health, and energy. Andrew Wiggins didn’t have the game of his life with just 3 points on 1 of 6 shooting, but he did draw the toughest assignment, Kobe Bryant. Considering that Bryant made some tough shots, Wiggins did pretty well.
Zach LaVine, on the other hand, looked like he was trying out to be a Laker. The former UCLA guard showed that his talent belongs at the NBA level. He struggled with mid-range play, but could finish well at the rim, and hit will behind the arc. In fact, against the Lakers, he scored a new career high of 28 points on 11 of 14 shooting from the field, 2 of 2 behind the arc, and hit all 4 free throws.
Yes, this is a tough loss for the Lakers. Their lack of consistent defense allowed the younger opponents to build confidence throughout the game, and it got them over the hump. The Lakers were in position to win late in the game, and gave it all up.
This Laker squad is full of veterans, but they’re still learning to win.
At least this time around, they’re one step closer to doing so.