Wolves record: 3-20
Click here for Corey Brewer’s monster dunk on Derek Fisher
The second half was a different story, however. In the third quarter, the Lakers outscored the Timberwolves 30-14, closing with a 12-0 run.
“They hustled,” said Lakers coach Phil Jackson of the Timberwolves. “They worked hard. They couldn’t really accomplish anything in the third quarter and we were able to break it open and survive the game.”
Minnesota had its fair share of opportunities to get back into the game in the fourth. They went on a mini 9-2 spurt to cut the Lakers’ lead to 88-77.
The Wolves inevitably were overcome by Kobe Bryant’s presence and 20 points – achieved despite playing the final three quarters with a fractured index finger on his shooting hand– and the champions’ size and length on a night when Lakers forward Pau Gasol exceeded Kevin Love’s career 19-rebound night with a career-high 20 rebounds of his own.
“They’re such a big team, a long team,” said Wolves forward Al Jefferson, whose 24-point, 13-rebound night was his fifth consecutive double-double. “We’re a small team.”
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