Lakers work OT to beat Timberwolves, advance to deal with Grizzlies in first-round series

LOS ANGELES-- A raucous, chanting sellout crowd invited the Lakers back to the postseason on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. The fans turned the arena electric at times, no doubt imagining their voices firing up another of those extended playoff runs that as soon as were spring initiation rites.

The short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves nearly ruined the celebration, pressing the Lakers to the verge. The Lakers took advantage of the energy of their fans before it was far too late and seized a 108-102 overtime triumph that sent them into the first round of the playoffs as the Western Conference's seventh-seeded group.

The Lakers will play the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in a best-of-seven series. Video game 1 is Sunday in Memphis.

The Lakers were 2-1 against the Grizzlies throughout the routine season, winning both games at Crypto.com Arena.

No team in the three-year history of the play-in tournament has actually won a first-round series, so the odds were stacked against Tuesday's winner. Neither the Lakers nor the Timberwolves played the sort of game that may lead anyone to believe they could become the first to break that streak.

Minnesota was the better, more consistent, team for the majority of the game despite playing without 2 starters in its lineup. The Timberwolves led by as many as 15 points in the third quarter prior to the Lakers rallied behind Anthony Davis, LeBron James and backup guard Dennis Schröder.

James' 3-pointer with 2:02 left in policy pulled the Lakers even at 95-all, sending out the crowd into a frenzy. Neither team might break the incorporate the closing seconds, turning over the ball consistently, until James passed to an open Schroder for a tie-breaking 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds left.

Davis, who had been the anchor of a stingy Laker protective effort throughout the 4th quarter, then fouled Mike Conley on a 3-point effort and Conley made all three free throws with 0.1 seconds left to send out the game into overtime tied at 98. Davis paid the rate for his aggressive defense of Conley, running at him from some range and lumbering into him.

In overtime, James fed Rui Hachimura for a 3-pointer from the right wing and the Lakers took a 101-98 lead. Schroder's layup on a give-and-go from Davis made it 103-98 on the next possession, and the Lakers all of a sudden were in command with their largest lead of the game.

James led the Lakers with 30 points, adding 10 rebounds and six assists. Davis had 24 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocked shots and Schröder had 21 points, going 3 for 4 from behind the arc.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and 3 blocks for Minnesota and played the fourth quarter and overtime with 5 fouls. Minnesota will host No. 9 New Orleans or No. 10 Oklahoma City on Friday for the 8th spot and a first-round date with top-seeded Denver starting Sunday. The Pelicans host the Thunder on Wednesday night.

The Lakers were at something resembling complete strength, apart from the unpleasant foot injuries James, Davis and D'Angelo Russell had fought in current days and weeks. All 3 remained in the starting lineup, nevertheless. Schröder (neck/Achilles) also was offered to play a reserve function.

The Timberwolves were nowhere near complete strength, and it was their own fault after they suspended center Rudy Gobert one video game after he tossed a punch at teammate Kyle Anderson throughout a timeout in the 2nd quarter of Sunday's triumph over the New Orleans Pelicans that sent them to L.A

. In addition, Jaden McDaniels didn't play because of a broken right hand, suffered when he punched a wall in disappointment throughout the Timberwolves' video game versus the Pelicans. He was suitabled for a cast Monday and was stated to be out indefinitely. Plus, Naz Reid was sidelined by a fractured wrist.

" We're fighters," Minnesota coach Chris Finch said when asked about the Timberwolves' capability to respond to hardship, drawing laughter from press reporters during his pregame session. "I mean, we had a cumbersome start to the season ... but I enjoy our group spirit. Our men really do like playing for each other."

More to come on this story.