Lakers Learn From Loss in Minnesota, Hang on to Beat Timberwolves, 114-110

They learned from last time.

LeBron James scored 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as the Los Angeles Lakers outlasted the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-110, avenging a loss from last Monday in Minneapolis. 

After suffering their worst first quarter deficit in franchise history in a lopsided loss at the hands of the Toronto Raptors, the Lakers rebounded against the T-Wolves, closing out the fourth quarter, a weak spot for the team all season. 

The first half started as a three-point shootout as the Lakers were 8-of-14 (57%) from beyond the arc, and the Timberwolves were 11-for-17 (65%) from downtown themselves.

All five starters for Minnesota reached double-figures before the half.

Minnesota finished with a franchise record 20 three-pointers in the game, and the Lakers finished with 15.

Following election night, the sports dopersters would lead you to believe that the Lakers were heavy favorites, especially considering the Timberwolves were winless on the road this season. 

Minnesota put up fight, leading the game by as many as nine points, and trailed by just one point with eight seconds remaining when Derrick Rose's three-pointer fell short.

Rose finished with a game-high 31 points and Jimmy Butler had 24 points.

Josh Hart finished with 21 points and was 5-for-7 from beyond the arc and Kyle Kuzma had 21 points. 

Kuzma's fourth 3-pointer put the Lakers up 111-104 with 1:51 to play, but Rose promptly hit back-to-back 3-pointers for the Wolves. After Chandler twice extended the Lakers' ensuing possession, Kuzma hit one of two free throws with 9.5 seconds left.

In his first game with his hometown Lakers, center Tyson Chandler had two points, and nine rebounds including two enormous offensive boards in the last minute. He then contested Derrick Rose's final 3-point attempt, forcing a miss that essentially sealed the win.

"You can tell he's a young-old guy that's happy to be back home, and he played with a lot of energy tonight," said Rajon Rondo, who was thanked by Chandler for vocally directing him around the court.

Rose then missed his last 3 under heavy defensive pressure from Chandler, and Hart hit two free throws to seal it. Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau thought Rose deserved a foul.

"They're not going to give me that call," Rose said with a shrug. "They haven't been giving me that call, so I've just got to get used to it."

The Timberwolves fell to 0-7 on the road this season.

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: Butler converted a four-point play to tie it at 94 with 7:44 to play. ... Thibodeau used the same starting lineup from Monday's loss to the Clippers.

Lakers: James fell just shy of his 75th triple-double, but scored nine points in the fourth quarter. ... Chandler grew up in several parts of California before moving to Compton, where he starred at Dominguez High School and became the No. 2 pick in the 2001 NBA draft. ... Chandler backed up JaVale McGee, who had 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting.

GOOD STARTS

Minnesota came out in an offensive groove during its second straight game at Staples Center following Monday's loss to the Clippers. All five Wolves starters reached double figures in the first half while hitting 66 percent of their shots. Rose and Wiggins hit three 3-pointers apiece and all five starters contributed to an 11-for-17 performance beyond the arc, tying the franchise record for 3s in a first half.

But the Lakers didn't get humiliated in the first quarter, as they did last Sunday in their loss to Toronto. Hart hit four 3-pointers in the first half, and Kuzma hit a buzzer-beating 3 to limit Minnesota's lead to 67-65.

BAD BOARDS

Minnesota was outrebounded 47-40, and it was most glaring in that final minute. "Very, very frustrating to know we were that close, and all we have to do is rebound the basketball," Butler said. "But that's been the story for us so far. We've been right there. We've been outrebounded. We have to figure out a way to go get the ball."

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: At the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. 

Lakers: At the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.