SB Nation Los Angeles - Lakers Best Timberwolves At Staples Centerhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2011-03-19T00:50:50-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18230692011-03-19T00:50:50-07:002011-03-19T00:50:50-07:00Lakers Top Timberwolves, 106-98
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<p>Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Pau Gasol</span></span> netted 25 points, and the <span class="sbn-auto-link"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a></span> used a late run to finish off the <span class="sbn-auto-link"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a></span>, 106- 98, at Staples Center.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Kobe Bryant</span></span>, hobbled by an ankle injury, shot just 6-of-17 from the field for 18 points for Los Angeles, which ended the game on a 13-4 spurt to win for the 11th time in 12 games.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Andrew Bynum</span></span> had 10 points and 14 rebounds before getting ejected prior to the game-finishing flurry.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Wesley Johnson</span></span> paced Minnesota with a career-high 29 points, while <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Kevin Love</span></span> went for 15 points and 13 rebounds in the team's 15th straight loss to the Lakers.</p>
<p>The game was surprisingly tight throughout between the second-best team in the Western Conference -- the Lakers -- and the second worst.</p>
<p>Things got physical midway through the fourth quarter when <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Michael Beasley</span></span> drove the right baseline and was greeted at the rim by Bynum.</p>
<p>Instead of going for the block, Bynum inserted his elbow into Beasley's chest, sending him to the hardwood with a thud. Beasley wobbled to his feet but clearly injured his hip and did not return after hitting two free throws. Bynum was assessed a flagrant 2 foul and may face a suspension from the NBA.</p>
<p>"[Bynum] was going to go block the shot, but he was too late ... He just gave up on the ball. He didn't do it in a way that was malicious. He just stopped Beasley's penetration, but Beasley fell hard," Lakers head coach <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Phil Jackson</span></span> said of the controversial foul.</p>
<p>After the technical freebies, the visitors led 89-88 with 6:16 to play and still led by one, 94-93, before the Lakers turned it on down the stretch.</p>
<p>Bryant later sprawled to the floor after his jaw hit the head of Minnesota's <span>Martell Webster</span>.</p>
<p>Gasol put in a jumper with 3:35 showing for the last of 16 lead chances. Bryant's runner followed, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Lamar Odom</span></span> tacked on a three-pointer for a 100-94 lead with 2:22 remaining, and the hosts held on from there.</p>
<p>"I thought it was good for our guys to see how rough and physical a game can be," Timberwolves head coach <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Kurt Rambis</span></span> said. "That's a good thing for our learning experience."</p>
<p>Minnesota was on top, 27-21, following the first quarter and led by two, 51-49, at the break.</p>
<p>Bryant put the finishing touches on a back-and-fourth first stanza with five points in the last 66 seconds, giving LA a 78-74 edge heading to the final frame.</p>
<p>Minnesota has lost three straight overall...Shannon Brown contributed 14 points off the bench for the Lakers, who shot 48 percent from the field and 8- of-19 from three-point range...Beasley ended with 18 points and seven boards.</p>
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<p><i>For more news and information on tonight's game, be sure to read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Silver Screen and Roll</a>.</i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2011/3/19/2059761/lakers-vs-timberwolves-nba-pau-gasol-kobe-bryantEric Stephen2011-03-18T15:30:05-07:002011-03-18T15:30:05-07:00Rested Lakers Host Timberwolves At Staples Center
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<p>After three days off, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> will look for their third straight win tonight, and 11th in 12 games, hosting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> at Staples Center. The Lakers have beaten the Timberwolves 14 straight times, including all three matchups this season. <span>Kobe Bryant</span> is still dealing with a sprained left ankle but is probable for tonight's game.</p>
<p>Bryant played on the ankle on Monday against Orlando, playing 31 minutes. He scored 16 points on 7-of-19 shooting. Center <span>Andrew Bynum</span> continued his great play of late, putting up a career-high tying 18 rebounds to go along with his 10 points and four blocks. Since the All-Star break, Bynum is averaging 11.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game.</p>
<p><span>Kevin Love</span> had a monster 23-point, 24-rebound performance at Staples Center in November, but since then the Lakers have held him to 13 points and 18 rebounds total in two games. In three games this season, Love has made just nine of 34 field goals (26.4%).</p>
<p>Spero Dedes won't be calling the Laker game on radio tonight, as he is working the NCAA tournament. Bill MacDonald will fill in on the radio play-by-play, joining analyst Mychal Thompson.</p>
<p><i>For more news and information on tonight's game, be sure to read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com">Silver Screen and Roll</a>.</i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2011/3/18/2331806/rested-lakers-host-timberwolves-at-staples-centerEric Stephen