Wolves record: 16-29
Lakers star Kobe Bryant got his 30 points and two quick fouls called on defender Randy Foye, but it was the Lakers’ physical dominance — and 19 offensive rebounds — that determined a game that gave the Wolves their first consecutive losses in a whopping 37 days.
And 19,111 spectators — the biggest Target Center audience of the season — watched the Lakers use a 15-2 third-quarter run to turn a four-point game at halftime into a lead as many as 20 points early in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota’s recent resurgence has been fueled by rebounding and reliable inside play, but L.A. was simply too deep and too tall. Al Jefferson finished with 34 points and 13 rebounds, but Bynum proved to be just a bit stronger inside. The Lakers have another 7-footer, Pau Gasol, who backed up his All-Star selection with 21 points and nine rebounds.
“They’re bigger than they look,” Jefferson said. “Long and big.”
Randy Foye scored 27 points for the Wolves, who rallied from a 20-point hole with an 18-7 run in the fourth quarter but couldn’t get any closer. This was the most points they’ve allowed in regulation this season; they lost their sixth straight game to the Lakers.
6 Al Jefferson’s 30-point games this season (32 Friday night)
Kevin Love finished the game with 12 points and nine rebounds, just shy of his 10th double-double of the season and sixth of January. The 20-year-old has grabbed at least nine rebounds in 21 of the Wolves’ first 45 games of the season. He finished January averaging 12.6 points and an even 10 rebounds per game on 54% shooting.
The Wolves trailed by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter in a loss that put their final January record at 10-4 but did nothing to damage their confidence.
“I think everyone believes,” Foye said. “There was no doubt tonight that we had a chance to win the game. They just made some unbelievable shots.”
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