LA gets a thrilling W over the T-Wolves in OT and will face Memphis in a series, 108-102

The Lakers turned their season around after All-Star weekend and earned themselves into tonight's play-in against a broken spirited Timberwolves' team. LA was the favorite to win, after Rudy Gobert was suspended for punching his teammate on Sunday, as well as Jaden McDaniels, who injured his hand after he punched a wall. With seeding on the line, it brought out a very intense game.

LA started out the game very shaky. They shot 1 out of 9 from the field until LeBron James and crew decided to push the pace of the game and got out there and ran the floor. LA went on a 7-0 run to cut the T-Wolves lead to one, but the length of Karl Anthony Towns caused a lot of problems for them. What once was a one-point deficit, turned into an eight-point hole at the end of the first quarter. Big Kat had nine points at the end of the quarter.

The Lakers had to dig themselves out of double-digit hole in the second quarter. The physicality and intensity turned up a notch for both teams. There were a lot of turnovers and block parties for both teams, but three-point shooting by the T-Wolves had the Lakers looking shocked. Minnesota was shooting around 55% from behind the arc. In the finally two minutes of the half, LA allowed a 10-2 run and was down 60-49..

The second half was a blur of slow motion offense by both team and a lot of turnovers. LA turned the ball over seven times in the two quarters. King LeBron James came up big in the fourth, knocking down big shot after big shot to keep his team within striking distance. With only five seconds left in regulation, Dennis Schroder hit a three pointer to put the Lake show up three, but AD fouled a T-Wolves player behind the arc. Minnesota hit all three free throws to force OT. In OT, James hit a couple big buckets to put his team in the driver seat of victory and a series with Memphis.

AD and James combined for 54 points, while Schroder finished with 21 points in the W.