Timberwolves beat Lakers by 22 in Game 1 of playoff series

LOS ANGELES — Jaden McDaniels scored 25 factors, Naz Reid added 23 with six 3-pointers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame Luka Doncic’s 37-point Lakers playoff debut for a 117-95 victory over Los Angeles on Saturday evening.

Anthony Edwards had 22 factors, 9 assists and eight rebounds within the first-round collection opener for the sixth-seeded Wolves, who weathered Doncic’s 16-point first quarter in entrance of a roaring L.A. crowd.

Minnesota then took management with a 38-20 second quarter and poured it on after halftime, showcasing its veteran poise and playoff expertise. Julius Randle and Edwards hit 4 3-pointers apiece because the Timberwolves made a franchise playoff-record 21 3-pointers on 42 makes an attempt — with lots of these pictures taken with no defender in sight.

LeBron James had 19 factors to start his 18th NBA postseason, however the third-seeded Lakers had been overwhelmed by the Wolves’ shotmaking and playoff poise. The 22-point loss is tied for Lakers’ largest margin of defeat in a Recreation 1 residence loss in franchise historical past. It was additionally the most important loss in Recreation 1 of the primary spherical by a James crew in his profession.

Whereas Los Angeles continues to be trying to find chemistry after buying Doncic two months in the past, Minnesota is keen to enhance on final season’s run to the Western Convention finals.

Recreation 2 within the best-of-seven collection is Tuesday evening in Los Angeles.

“It means Game 1,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch stated. “We know it’s going to be a long series. Like, we’re not, you know, we’re not under any assumption that it’s going to be this type of game on Game 2. It’ll be a completely different game.

“We bought lots left, quite a lot of meat on the bone on the market quite a lot of issues. I do know we will do higher.”

Sooner or later after the Dallas Mavericks’ season ended within the play-In match, Doncic produced the Eleventh-highest scoring playoff sport of his profession — and it wasn’t almost sufficient, because of the Timberwolves’ prolific crew effort.

Reid has a historical past of standout street performances towards the Lakers, and he led the Wolves’ rally within the center quarters. Minnesota went forward by 26 within the third quarter.

Los Angeles lastly rallied within the fourth, trimming the deficit to 12 factors on a barrage from Doncic, however Minnesota comfortably held on for its 18th win in its previous 22 video games.

The Lakers opened a playoff collection at residence with a full constructing for the primary time since 2012 — however they bought that home-court benefit by the smallest margin. Los Angeles gained 50 video games, whereas the Timberwolves gained 49 within the tight Western Convention.

Data from ESPN Analysis and The Related Press was used on this report.