The Los Angeles Lakers exacted some revenge on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Here are three lessons from the victory.
The Los Angeles Lakers are still figuring it out so to speak. The only question is…Figuring out what and how?
The Lakers pulled out a victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-110.
It was a homecoming of sorts for Tyson Chandler who played a huge part in getting the win in ways that Lakers fans are not used to.
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1060413300867915776
They showed their love by showering him with cheers and the feeling is mutual with Chandler…
"“It’s honestly all love,” Chandler said. “I love this city the way they love me. When you’re homegrown from here and going to high school and all that and you’ve had these same fans, and now you represent the jersey that everybody has been cheering for their entire lives, you kind of become one. I’ve been on the other side and played the villain. Now it’s great to be on this side and actually rep them.”"
LeBron James was one assist shy of his 75th triple-double scoring 24 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out nine assists. Oh and this…
https://twitter.com/LakerLAbron/status/1060743198513852416
Kyle Kuzma provided support by scoring 21 points, with six points in winning time.
On the offensive end, the Lakers had plenty of resources available. Josh Hart, who was in a little bit of a slump. righted his ship by scoring 21 points, while providing solid defense as usual. Brandon Ingram finished with 20 points.
But this night does not end with a Lakers victory without Tyson Chandler doing what he was signed to do…his job. At this stage of his career, he is the consummate professional and he showed it in the first game in a Lakers uniform. He provided the one thing that the Lakers have lacked since the season started…sacrifice with attention to detail.
Another reason for the fans to be encouraged is the Lakers played better defense. Not great defense (more on that later!) but there was a vast improvement over the Toronto Raptors debacle on Sunday night.
Now, this is an improvement but let’s be clear…this is the Minnesota Timberwolves here! With the Jimmy Butler debacle that is going on, this team probably has more drama than the Lakers. Plus if you watched closely last night, Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns showed the world why Butler needs his trade request honored.
Let’s get to it…here are my three lessons learned from the win.