MINNEAPOLIS – Anthony Edwards scored 23 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 97-87 on Friday night.

Julius Randle added 21 points and Jaden McDaniels scored 18 for Minnesota, which won for the fifth time in six games. Rudy Gobert had a game-high 13 rebounds and 12 points remaining.

The Timberwolves are 14-2 at home against the Lakers since the 2015-16 season, including four straight wins.

Anthony Davis led Los Angeles with 23 points and 11 rebounds, but the Lakers lost for the eighth time in 11 games. Austin Reaves scored 18 points in his first game back after missing five games with a left pelvis bruise, and Max Christie added 15.

Los Angeles had 21 turnovers.

LeBron James missed his second straight game for the Lakers due to left foot soreness and was away from the team this week for “personal reasons.” Coach JJ Redick said before the game he had no idea when James would return.

Takeaways

Lakers: Over the last 11 games, Los Angeles is averaging 103.3 points while its opponents are averaging 113.7 points.

Timberwolves: Minnesota’s strength in its recent success has been defense. Los Angeles shot just 38.4%, the third time in four games that a Timberwolves opponent failed to reach 40%. In Minnesota’s last five wins, no opponent has exceeded the 92-point mark.

Key moment

Mike Conley missed a 3-pointer for Minnesota and Rui Hachimura grabbed the rebound for Los Angeles. However, the ball was stolen by Randle, who quickly served McDaniels for a layup and took the lead 89-82 with 2:03 minutes left.

Key statistics

With an average shooting percentage of 37.5% from distance, Minnesota was just 9 for 32 (28.1%) from 3. The Lakers were 10 for 35 (28.6%) from distance shooting.

Next

The Lakers play at home against the Grizzlies and the Timberwolves face the Spurs on Sunday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA