LeBron James was spectacular with 38 points and 10 rebounds, setting the mark for most points scored in an NBA playoff game by a 40-year-old. But he wasn’t good enough to cover up arguably the Lakers’ biggest problem.
The lack of rim protection.
On Friday night, in Minnesota’s 116-104 victory over Los Angeles in Game 3 of their NBA first-round playoff series, the Timberwolves outscored the Lakers in the paint 56-26.
The trade of big man Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic has left the Lakers exposed in the paint. And Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels, a 6-9 forward, exploited the issue while scoring a career-high 30 points.
“The fact is we don’t have the ‘rim protection’ ” Lakers coach JJ Redick said after the game.
So what can the Lakers do to combat the problem before attempting to acquire rim blockers in the offseason?
“We’ve done it all year when we’ve been at our best,’’ Redick said. “We’ve been able to be physical on the ball and not allow blow-bys and also have sort of a cover mentality, multiple effort, and it was there at times tonight.’’
Although the Timberwolves exploited the Lakers’ weakness, Redick said his team exerted effort. But he also noted miscues and, “those things really, really accumulate, especially when you’re turning the ball over.’’
Setting up for a 3-point shot, James fumbled the ball without a defender even close in a moment that underscored the game. They showed flashes of the skill and focus to beat the Timberwolves on the road, but were outscored 13-1 to close the game.
The Lakers had 19 turnovers compared to just eight by the Timberwolves.
The Lakers’ worst offenders were Doncic, who had five turnovers, and Austin Reaves, who had four.
Anthony Edwards somehow looked mortal despite scoring 22 points in Game 1 and 25 points in Game 2. That was not the case in Game 3, when he looked dynamic while scoring 29 points to go with eight rebounds and eight assists.
“I knew I had to figure it out and lead my team to a win,’’ Edwards told ESPN. “I haven’t been playing to the best of my ability in the first two games, so just trying to figure out how to get to my spots and be efficient.’’
After Game 2, Edwards said he was confused by how the Lakers had tried to attack him. He told ESPN he watched game film when he got home from the game and watched more later that day.
“I figured a couple of things out,’’ he said. “It still was a little rough. Some raggedy edges. But came and played a little better.’’
James is suffering from lingering injuries to his hip and groin but several hours before the game told The Athletic, “I’m available today.’’
Boy, was he ever.
James scored 38 points on 13-of-21 shooting, including 5-of-9 from 3-point range.
During stretches, he all but singlehandedly kept the Lakers in the game.
With the Lakers trailing 97-90, he hit back-to-back 3-pointers. But ultimately James found himself outmanned.
