Game Grades: Lakers Can’t Out-Tank Wolves, Grab Win
By Jacob Rude
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86. 101. 20. Final. 99
Note: we’ll be grading the players on how well they contributed to the tank.
MVP: It was a tough night for the tank as the Lakers were bailed out by a bad foul by the Timberwolves which put Jordan Clarkson on the line to win the game with 0.3 seconds left. Despite that, the game went to overtime because of a Chase Budinger three, but he will share the award with Andrew Wiggins, who played 49 minutes and scored 27 points. Valiant efforts, gentlemen. Special shout-out to Ryan Kelly for missing the wide-open possible game-winner at the end of regulation
LVP: Again, we’re going with Jordan Clarkson. While he didn’t pour in 30 points tonight, he was the Lakers’ leading scorer with 20 points and hit the two free throws with 0.3 seconds left in OT to win the game. A 20/5/5 split is nice and all, but this was a crucial tanking game.
Stat of the Night: 44-32. Points in the paint. Despite the Lakers not playing Jordan Hill or Carlos Boozer, they dominated the paint. This was not only the big men scoring, but also the the guards getting to the paint and scoring at the rim.
The Starters
C+. <strong> 29 min, 6-14 FG, 1-5 3P, 6-6 FT, 19 PTS, 3 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO</strong><p><strong><a href=. PG. Los Angeles Lakers. JEREMY LIN
B+. <strong>37 min, 4-13 FG, 1-8 3P, 2-2 FT, 11 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO</strong><p>The aforementioned missed buzzer beater by Kelly was one of nine misses tonight, a valiant tanking effort.</p>. PF. Los Angeles Lakers. RYAN KELLY
F. <strong> 38 min, 6-16 FG, 0-1 3P, 8-8 FT, 20 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 6 TO</strong><p>It’s not nearly as upsetting when the Lakers win with big contributions for Clarkson, which is something many fans have been clamoring for all season.</p>. PG. Los Angeles Lakers. JORDAN CLARKSON
SF. Los Angeles Lakers. WESLEY JOHNSON. A. <strong>21 min, 3-6 FG, 0-2 3P, 0-0 FT, 6 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p>12 more games of <strong><a href=
<strong>30 min, 5-6 FG, 1-2 FT, 11 PTS, 7 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p>Despite his solid stat line, <strong><a href=. C. Los Angeles Lakers. TARIK BLACK. B
The Bench
ED DAVIS. C-. <strong> 22 min, 7-9 FG, 0-0 FT, 14 PTS, 9 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO</strong><p>The decision to keep <strong><a href=. PF. Los Angeles Lakers
ROBERT SACRE. A-. <strong> 16 min, 2-5 FG, 0-0 FT, 4 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p>Choosing to play <strong><a href=. C. Los Angeles Lakers
WAYNE ELLINGTON. A. <b>39</b> <strong>min, 3-19 FG, 1-7 3P, 0-0 FT, 7 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p>19 shots from <strong><a href=. SG. Los Angeles Lakers
D+. <strong> 32 min, 3-4 FG, 3-3 3P, 0-0 FT, 9 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO</strong><p><strong><a href=. SG. Los Angeles Lakers. JABARI BROWN
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