NBA playoffs | Lakers vs. Timberwolves: Luka Dončić’s big night helps Los Angeles even series in ugly Game 2

Going off the field rating, it was a runaway 94-85 win Tuesday night time for the Los Angeles Lakers. And but, they nonetheless have lots to work on.

The host Lakers took Recreation 2 towards the Minnesota Timberwolves — due to a close to triple-double from Luka Dončić — to even the first-round collection because it heads to the Twin Cities. Recreation 3 is scheduled for Friday on the Goal Heart at 9:30 p.m. ET.

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Dončić shot 9-of-20 from the ground however hit all 11 of his free throws and added 12 rebounds and 9 assists.

The Lakers took a double-digit lead within the first quarter and maintained a lead of not less than 9 factors for the remainder of the sport, however it was paradoxically a irritating sport, one which left head coach JJ Redick cursing his team out in the third quarter because the Timberwolves tried to make it a sport.

The Lakers as soon as once more received little or no from their bench — Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent equipped all of the non-starter manufacturing with 13 whole factors — however it did not matter Tuesday as a result of Minnesota shot so poorly.

Los Angeles overwhelmed Minnesota on protection, with LeBron James main a renewed effort on the level of assault and on the 3-point line. And on offense, James and Luka Dončić mixed for 52 factors, 23 rebounds and 16 assists. The Lakers received the matchups they needed, most notably Dončić towards Rudy Gobert on the perimeter, however their technique finally encountered diminishing returns because the Timberwolves adjusted and shook off some foul hassle.

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It was general an unsightly sport, with the 2 groups combining to go 11-of-54 from 3-point vary with 46 fouls (and 45 free-throw makes an attempt). Minnesota had a number of possibilities to make L.A. actually sweat within the fourth quarter, however its solely constant participant of the night time was Julius Randle, who scored 27 factors.

Jaden McDaniels, Mike Conley, Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker mixed to go 5-of-26 from the sector. Even Anthony Edwards was a bit off, scoring 25 factors on 10-of-22 taking pictures.

Neither coach appeared completely happy along with his group through the sport, however the Lakers not less than received the win. The query now could be if they will discover a extra free-flowing sport in entrance of a hostile crowd in Minnesota.

Here is the way it all went down at Yahoo Sports activities: