LOS ANGELES, CA — The NBA Playoffs began with instant drama on Tuesday night, April 11. The Western Conference’s first Play-in game saw Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers battle the Minnesota Timberwolves, where the winner clinched a playoff spot. Down by as much as 15 points at times, it took a 30-point, 10-rebound performance from Lebron James for the Lakers to claim victory 108-102 in OT.
Los Angeles’ defense finally showed up and won out in the 4th quarter. They held Minnesota to just seven points in the final 11 minutes while the Lakers overcame the 15-point hole they dug themselves earlier on in the second half.
Dennis Schroder drilled the tiebreaking, 98-95, 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds to play in regulation, but the Wolves forced overtime when Conley hit three free throws with 0.1 seconds left after Davis stepped on his foot after he had already released a 3-point attempt.
Anthony Davis scored 24 points and 15 rebounds but committed the extremely ill-advised foul on Mike Conley that helped the Timberwolves send the game to overtime. The big man has to play better down the stretch if the Lakers have any hope of making a title run. Schroder played well as he scored 21 points and iced the game with back-to-back made free throws with less than five seconds left in OT.
Lakers Survive in OT; Advance to NBA Playoffs
(Credit: nba.com)
The Lakeshow might have survived the up-and-down matchup with a banged-up Minnesota squad missing two of its key players, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels, but they managed to clinch the 7th seed in the NBA Playoffs. Their next opponent is the No. 2 seeded Memphis Grizzlies. Game One will be played on Sunday, April 16, at 2 p.m.
While Minnesota might have lost to Los Angeles, their season is not over yet. They now play the winner of the New Orleans Pelicans or the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, April 14. The winner gets into the First Round while the loser’s season is over.
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