Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Date: December 13, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. CST
Location: Target center
TV coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio reporting: KFAN FM/Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Can the Wolves beat the Lakers again?

After a much-needed breather, the Minnesota Timberwolves are back at Target Center on Friday night to take on an all-too-familiar opponent: the Los Angeles Lakers. If you’re thinking, “Wait, didn’t we just beat these guys by 29 points?” you’d be absolutely right. But before you start claiming another stunning victory, let me pump the brakes a little. This matchup promises to be very different, and not just because the Lakers finished at 3 a.m. last time out.

This time both teams come into the game rested and refreshed, with their sights set on a decisive win for positioning in the tight Western Conference standings. For the Wolves, who are 12-11 and just a half-game behind the 13-11 Lakers, this is the perfect opportunity to overtake a rival and continue their resurgence in December.

Rewind: How the Wolves dominated last time

The Wolves’ last game against the Lakers was essentially an NBA version of a spa day for Minnesota. They eked out a 29-point win behind a stifling defense and a cohesive offense. Anthony Davis? Neutralized. The Lakers’ role players? A non-factor. LeBron James? He showed up physically, but he looked like me after trying to assemble IKEA furniture – exhausted and questioning his life choices.

But here’s the thing: The Lakers were on the second night of a meeting, dragging themselves off an overnight flight from Salt Lake City. Friday’s game will be a different story. LeBron and Austin Reaves are listed as game-time decisions, but if LeBron plays — and I’m betting he will — this could be a much livelier Lakers roster.

The blueprint to beat the Lakers

Here’s the good news: Wolves have already shown that they know how to beat this team. The formula is simple: Making life difficult for Anthony Davis.

When AD dropped 36 points to the Wolves in the season opener, it was like watching a cheat code. No one could stop him and it was clear that the Wolves would have to adapt. Fast forward to early December, and Rudy Gobert was at the forefront of closing Davis. If the Wolves can repeat that swarming, paint-protecting performance, it’s hard to imagine the Lakers having enough firepower to overcome Minnesota’s superior depth.

LeBron is still LeBron, but he’s not the LeBron who crushed teams with one hand tied behind his back. At this point, the Wolves have the personnel to limit him and put the Lakers’ supporting forces in charge. If this game comes down to names like Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and Canis favorite D’Angelo Russell, then I like Minnesota’s chances.

The Wolves’ key to victory

1. Defense first:

Wolves’ defensive intensity was night and day compared to earlier this season. Rudy Gobert has returned to his dominant ways, and the team’s wings – Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Anthony Edwards – are wreaking havoc. If they can make the Lakers uncomfortable and force contested shots, this game should be theirs.

2. Limit sales:

Losses of the ball have been Wolves’ Achilles’ heel in several games this season. Giving the Lakers easy chances in transition is a recipe for disaster. Chris Finch needs to make sure this team plays smart, disciplined basketball.

3. Ball movement:

When Wolves share the ball, good things happen. Isolation-intensive sets with Ant and Julius Randle dribbling the air out of the ball might work in short bursts, but relying on them too much will cause the offense to stagnate. Move the ball, find the open man and take advantage of the Lakers’ defensive mistakes.

4. Take advantage of the Lakers’ defense:

Let’s face it: the Lakers are a defensive mess. If the Wolves keep their offense fluid and make quality shots, they should have no problem scoring points.

A chance to keep climbing

This game is about more than just a win – it’s about momentum. The Wolves are coming off a strong stretch in which they showed the league what they are capable of: overwhelming victories over the Lakers, Clippers and Warriors. Sure, they stumbled in the second game against Golden State, but the plan for success is there.

Beating the Lakers again wouldn’t just mean climbing above .500 – it would mean climbing the standings, regaining confidence and proving that this team is ready to fight. With another game against Spurs looming, the Wolves are well placed to pick up some wins and prepare for a solid December.

forecast

This won’t be the cakewalk we saw last time. The Lakers will be rested and motivated, and Anthony Davis is probably still upset about being taken out in their last meeting. But the Wolves have the talent advantage, the defensive plan and — hopefully — the focus to take care of business at home. If they stick to their game plan, I expect them to get a hard-fought victory.

Final score: Wolves 112, Lakers 104.

Let’s hope we see more of the December Wolves – the team that defends and shares the ball in lockdown – rather than the disjointed group we saw in November. It’s time to take advantage of the opportunity and climb further up the table.