Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer spark Lakers past Timberwolves
Carlos Boozer came off the bench and scored 22 points and added 13 rebounds, his fourth double-double of the season, to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a close victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, 100-94. Los Angeles (8-16) is now on a three-game winning streak.
Boozer went 10-14 from the field, in a good performance. Los Angeles also got solid performances from Kobe Bryant with 26 points and six rebounds, and Wesley Johnson with 12 points and six assists. Shabazz Muhammad had a big game off the bench for Minnesota despite the loss, putting up 28 points on 12-21 shooting from the field and 4-7 from the free throw line. He also added nine rebounds. Corey Brewer contributed 10 points and nine assists and Zach LaVine finished with 10 points and six assists.
In a showdown of statistical strengths, the offense of Los Angeles won the turnover battle against the defense of Minnesota that forces the league's third-most errors (opponents' TO% of 16.2%). The Lakers ended this contest with a TO% of 11.2%, and make the fourth-fewest mistakes in the league this year (TO% of 11.9%).
This drops Minnesota (5-18) to 1-1 versus Los Angeles on the season.
Coming up next, the Lakers square off with the Indiana Pacers, who are 7-17 on the year. The Timberwolves go up against the Washington Wizards, currently 17-6 this season.
