The Los Angeles Lakers are playing against the Minnesota Timberwolves team, which has developed a lot over the season.
The playoff opponents, the La Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, both saw the season turn upside down due to unexpected deals. There was one notable difference. It’s timing.
La Lakers traded Anthony Davis and Max Christie to acquire Luka Donsic at the February deadline.
The big trade for the Minnesota Timberwolves came days before the season began. The town of Karl Anthony was a controversial trade with the arrival of Julius Randle and Donte Divinsenzo.
Preseason timing didn’t benefit a lot in Minnesota, but it’s better to do it earlier than wait until the middle of the season.
La Lakers’ season could end against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They currently have one defeat from elimination, 3-1 down in the series.
This is how the two teams start the season, with the Lakers defeating the Timberwolves in the season opener.
The Lakers won the home game 110-103, and can be seen below in the start of the two teams.
- Lakers: Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Austin Reeves, Dangelo Russell, Louis Hachimura
- TimberwolvesJulius Randle, Mike Conley, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels
The Timberwolves starting the 5 are the same Quintet, selected by Chris Finch in the playoffs. This hasn’t continued throughout the season, but there have been many changes, but it was clear that this is the lineup he feels is his strongest.
The Lakers didn’t have Davis or Russell and instead started Luka Donsic and Jackson Hayes. It’s a talented but flawed spin, but it was actually the Timberwolves’ excellent strength that really made the real difference to this series.
One notable comment following the Lakers’ victory in the opening game of the season comes from Louis Fatimura, where Julius Randle pointed out his struggle with the team.
He explained: “I was just trying to be more aggressive. We talked about Julius Randle, he just stands up from time to time.
Randle was targeted as a weak link, but in this playoff series he was nothing more.
There is no argument that Randle had been tough for three months in Minnesota. Since January he has become an important part of the team and encouraged victory.
It is believed that Anthony Edwards improved Randle’s game, making him more aggressive and helping him “play for purpose.”
Randle proves people wrong, even if their early criticisms were justified. I was also able to understand it as I was thrown into new situations, new cities, new teams.
All he needed was time, but success wasn’t automatic, he had to work hard to fit, and he deserved his transformation.
Tamura’s comments were correct at the time, but it’s clear that he is a problem for the Lakers in this playoff series.