LA Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Postgame Grades and Analysis for Lakers

The Minnesota Timberwolves (24-24) defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (16-32) 109-99 on Tuesday night behind 31 points and 17 rebounds from Kevin Love. 

The Lakers have lost seven games in a row dating back to Jan. 20 and are now co-occupants of the Western Conference cellar with the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz.



Mike D'Antoni's squad found itself in a near-double-digit hole throughout, no thanks to another lousy defensive showing, one that saw the Timberwolves score 68 first-half points. Minnesota was then able to coast in the second half, scoring 21 and 20 points in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.



The Lakers shot 42 percent from the field and excelled from beyond the arc, knocking down 48 percent of their threes, but purple and gold starters accounted for just 27 points, fewer than the individual totals of both Love and Kevin Martin.

 

Key Players

Steve Nash, Point Guard

Hampered by back and hamstring injuries throughout the first half of the season, Steve Nash was cleared to make his seventh appearance (and start) of the 2013-14 campaign against the Timberwolves. 



Nash looked sharp from the opening tip, but it wasn't the numbers he put up that impressed.

Instead, it was the way the soon-to-be 40-year-old kept the Lakers' offense flowing, as he set up teammates for clean shots after effectively driving the lane and penetrating the interior of the Timberwolves' defense.



Unfortunately, Nash couldn't do anything to remedy L.A.'s breathtakingly bad defense, although that shouldn't come as a major shock.

In 25 productive and encouraging minutes, Nash totaled seven points (3-of-6 shooting), nine assists, a steal and two turnovers. His pull-up jumper and three-point stroke looked surprisingly strong.

"Came through it great," D'Antoni said of Nash'...

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