The Minnesota Timberwolves were unable to match the intensity of Game 1 performance against the La Lakers.
The LA Lakers fought back to tie Series 1-1 with the Minnesota Timberwolves, earning a low-scoring game of 94-85.
So, as the series is heading towards two games hosted in Minnesota, it’s the Timberwolves who have to readjust after all the Lakers’ performance has improved.
A loss in Los Angeles has raised questions about veteran Mike Conley, one of the starters.
Minnesota Timberwolves veteran Mike Conley played 21 minutes with the La Lakers, failing to have a scoreboard trouble.
Conley finished with 0 points, contributing to six rebounds and one assist.
On a night when Timberwolves bench players didn’t have double digit points, Conley’s performance was expensive.
Talking about his podcast, Bill Simmons points to Conley as a weakness in Minnesota’s lineup, and thinks that director Chris Finch may not know his best start five.
“The Minnesota issue is Conley’s work.
“Conley Zero Point today, 0-5 had some broad open shots and looked old. They really didn’t know what to do.
“I’m not yet positive about who this Minnesota team’s best five guys are as a unit, and I don’t think they know either.”
A cut view of Conley’s performance was shared by NBA insider Brian Windhorst on the Hoop Collective Podcast, and described as “terrifying.”
“It’s the worst game Mike Conley has played,” he added.
Mike Conley scored nine points in the Timberwolves’ series opening victory against the Lakers. His regular season average is above 8.2 points per game.
Conley removed a long way from players who averaged 21.1 points per game for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2020-21 season.
In January, Bill Simmons criticized Conley for being “end” and believed he could no longer contribute at the top level of the team.
Conley began to turn the corner and helped the Timberwolves improve the second half of the season, including a 17-point splash against the Pistons.
It is still recognized as a starter for Timberwolves, so once the series returns to Minnesota, Conley’s role could switch.