The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers will both be looking to take a 2-1 series lead when they go head to head at the Target Center on Saturday.
The home side claimed Game One of the series on Sunday courtesy of a 117-96 triumph over the visitors, who rallied to take Game Two following a 94-85 victory three days later.
Match preview
After getting their playoff campaign off to the perfect start, the Minnesota Timberwolves had the opportunity to put themselves firmly in the driving seat with a 2-0 advantage against the Lakers but were comfortably defeated in Wednesday’s meeting at Crypto.com Arena.
Another slow start from Chris Finch’s men left them with a 19-point deficit to make up at the end of the opening quarter, and despite a mini resurgence over the subsequent 36 minutes of action, they were unable to reel their opponents in.
Eager to put on a show against former employers last time out, Julius Randle continued his impressive playoff debut run for the Timberwolves with a 27-point display, while Anthony Edwards chipped in with 25 points as both men accounted for over 60% of their team’s tally.
A 1-1 record from two playoff matches on enemy territory represents a decent record all things considered, and last year’s conference finalists now have the opportunity to turn the tide in their favour with two home games on the bounce.
Wednesday’s defeat to the Lakers snapped a four-game winning run for the Timberwolves, who will set out this weekend aiming to pick up a fifth straight victory in front of their fans since losing back-to-back matches to the Indiana Pacers and the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Los Angeles Lakers served up a perfect response to their opening defeat with an emphatic display last time out en route to beating the Timberwolves 94-85 to level the series at one win apiece.
However, it was far from a straightforward task for JJ Redick and his men, with the rookie head coach visibly enraged at some point during which he called a time out and ripped into his players for a lack of effort.
Picking up where he left off in Game One, Luka Doncic had the Crypto.com Arena on their feet with his 31-point, 12-rebound and nine-assist performance, finishing just one assist shy of a first playoff triple-double with his new team.
Having been named Western Conference finals MVP with the Dallas Mavericks last season, Doncic will be looking to wreak some more postseason havoc on the Timberwolves as he seeks to inspire the Lakers to a record-equalling 18th championship.
Currently 4-8 across their last 12 matches away from home, Saturday’s visitors will need to get their act together on the road to avoid leaving themselves with a mountain to climb when the series returns to Los Angeles.
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Team News
Maxi Kleber is not yet fit enough to suit up for the Los Angeles Lakers due to a foot issue, but the German should be back at some point during the ongoing postseason.
Kleber is the Lakers’ only injury concern for this weekend’s affair, meaning that JJ Redick will be able to call upon his regular starting five for the third game running.
Rob Dillingham will be monitored on a daily basis as he continues his recovery from an ankle problem, although Saturday’s match is expected to come too soon for the guard.
Mike Conley had a game to forget last time out as he went scoreless in his 21 minutes of action, but the veteran should retain his spot in the backcourt alongside Edwards.
Minnesota Timberwolves possible starting five:
Conley, Edwards; McDaniels, Randle; Gobert
Los Angeles Lakers possible starting five:
Doncic, Reaves; Hachimura, James; Hayes
