Lakers lean on defense to even series with Game 2 win over Wolves

Thanks to the Lakers holding the Wolves to a season-low of 85 points, Los Angeles evened the series at 1-1.

LOS ANGELES - Let’s rewind the clock to this exact date a year ago.

On April 22, 2024, the Lakers entered Game 2 against the Nuggets in danger of falling into a 0-2 hole in the series. A Jamal Murray game-winner ensured that was the case, sending the Lakers back to LA with a gut-punch loss.

Fast-forward to Tuesday, where the Lakers were once again down 0-1 heading into Game 2, this time against the Wolves. With the pressure on again, instead of cracking, LA pulled through with a 94-85 win.

It was an ugly game, with both teams battling it out like fighters in a phone booth. The Lakers, though, maintained control throughout while the Wolves struggled to put the ball in the basket.

After being bludgeoned from behind the arc in Game 1, reducing 3-point attempts and the effectiveness of those shots was a point of emphasis for the Lakers, which they succeeded at.

One game removed from making 24 3-pointers on Saturday, Minnesota went 5-25 from range on Tuesday. The Wolves' 85 points were the lowest point total for any Lakers opponent this season.

“I remember we went on a seven- or eight-game winning streak playing this kind of defense,” Luka Dončić said. “And when you play this kind of defense for 48 minutes, it gives us a great chance to win.”

LeBron James established the defensive sharpness from the jump. He didn’t have a fancy chasedown block like he did in Game 1, but he was buzzing like a bee on defense.

LeBron communicated, grabbed rebounds, and embraced defensive assignments on every Wolves frontcourt player at some point. And with Minnesota trying to rally back in the fourth, he had arguably the play of the game with a clutch steal on Anthony Edwards that he turned into a layup on the other end to extend the lead back into double figures.

“I was able to reach for the ball before [Anthony Edwards] kind of seen me in the blind spot,” LeBron said. “I was able to steal it and go coast to coast. It wasn’t about the points, I think at that point, it was about the momentum.”

That steal and LeBron’s subsequent basket were the kiss of death for the Wolves, sealing their fate.

Los Angeles avoided disaster by evening the series and won with defense, a route few perhaps would have expected coming into this series.

Now, the fun continues, and they’ll have to bring that same level of defensive intensity to Minnesota, where they'll be playing in front of a hostile crowd.

Luka Dončić found postseason success in Minnesota last year, beating the Wolves as a member of the Mavericks. Still, he is well aware of the challenge ahead.

“Going into Minnesota is going to be a war,” Luka said. “The fans are going to be cheering like crazy, so no matter what, we can’t panic. We got to stay together, and that’s on me and Bron to keep the team together.”

The Wolves swung first in the series and drew blood, but the Lakers have responded and everything is even.

For the Lakers, Game 2 was a reminder that defense wins championships and when L.A. brings the right energy and aggression, they have more than enough to get it done.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.