Los Angeles Lakers (40-25) beat Minnesota Timberwolves (40-25) 120-106 at home on Tuesday, March 10.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Timberwolves struck first, taking the opening quarter 21-16 and a 5-point lead after one. The Lakers pulled even with a 29-24 second quarter, sending the game to halftime tied at 45.
The Lakers won the third 39-23 to turn the game around, taking a 16-point lead into the fourth. The Timberwolves took the fourth 38-36; the Lakers held on for a 120-106 regulation win.
What decided it
The Lakers took better care of the ball, turning it over on 6.2% of possessions compared with 11.5% for the Timberwolves. The Lakers grabbed 28.6% of their own misses, while the Timberwolves recovered 19.5%. Those extra possessions were crucial.
The Timberwolves did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 27.5 against 20.4. The Lakers made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 96 possessions per team, the Lakers produced 125.2 points per 100 possessions to 110.6 for the Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 61-26.
Who made the difference
Luka Doncic was the game's biggest individual force for LAL: 31 pts, 11 reb, 11 ast on 11-24 shooting. His Game Score of 27.9 led everyone. His team was +20 with him on the floor.
Nah'Shon Hyland led the Timberwolves with 11 pts, 0 reb, 3 ast on 3-5 shooting, good for a 11.5 Game Score.
Deandre Ayton (14 pts, 12 reb, 2 ast) and Luka Doncic (31 pts, 11 reb, 11 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 64% for the Lakers.
Across the last 11 meetings in our records, Minnesota Timberwolves lead 6-5.
The Lakers are now 40-25, and the Timberwolves are 40-25. The Lakers last five before this game: W-W-L-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.