The Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers from the NBA playoffs right at the outset, securing a decisive 103-96 victory to achieve a 4-1 series triumph.
On Wednesday, Minnesota’s French center Rudy Gobert showcased his prowess at both offensive and defensive ends, concluding the game with an impressive 27 points and 24 rebounds as the Lakers faced an exit in the first round for the second consecutive year.
The Timberwolves advance to face the winner of the Golden State versus Houston series in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Lakers reflect on a disappointing playoff run, hindered by a lack of defensive presence after Anthony Davis’s trade.
Gobert led the Timberwolves, while Doncic topped the Lakers’ scoring. The Rockets defeated the Warriors 131-116, narrowing their series deficit to 3-2.
With their season hanging in the balance after a heartbreaking defeat in game four, the Rockets exploded with energy from the very start.
They shot 64.7 percent in the first quarter, establishing a 40-24 lead.
VanVleet hit three of Houston’s six three-pointers in the first quarter, and the Rockets converted all 13 of their free-throw attempts during their early assault.
The Warriors looked unable to counter the onslaught, with Curry and Jimmy Butler failing to score during the initial quarter, and the team committed five turnovers.
Curry’s initial score came from a three-point shot during the latter part of the second quarter.
Nonetheless, the Warriors struggled to make significant progress against Houston’s tight defense, with the Rockets ahead 76-49 by the time halftime arrived.
Related Articles:
- LeBron James makes basketball history
- Ifeoma Sophia: A rising star of Nigerian-American Basketball
- Dogon Dutse Warriors win maiden Seyi Tinubu Basketball Tourney
Kerr expressed no hesitation in removing his starting players during a possible series clincher, a choice that allowed some downtime for the 37-year-old Curry, who was managing a thumb injury, along with Draymond Green and Butler, who had been sidelined in game three due to a pelvic issue.
They still have the opportunity to secure the series when they welcome game six on Friday.
“We must avoid starting the game with such a lack of defensive intensity and expect to triumph over a strong team at their venue,” Kerr noted. “They really took it to us – they were exceptional this evening.”
Curry concluded the game with 13 points, while Butler managed to score eight for the Warriors. Moses Moody tallied 25 points and was instrumental for the Warriors second unit in a late rally that trimmed the deficit to 13 points with just five minutes remaining.
Things got heated once more, as Warriors’ backup player Pat Spencer was disqualified for head-butting Houston’s center Alperen Sengun, leading the Rockets to extend their lead and secure the victory in Game 5.
