Game Preview #24 – Timberwolves vs. Lakers

Minnesota is coming off a long break and the Lakers are rolling back into town. Can the Wolves keep up their December momentum and down Anthony Davis and LeBron yet again?

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Date: December 13th, 2024
Time: 7:00PM CST
Location: Target Center
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM/Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Can the Wolves Ground the Lakers Again?

After a much-needed breather, the Minnesota Timberwolves are back at Target Center on Friday night to face an all-too-familiar foe—the Los Angeles Lakers. If you’re thinking, “Wait, didn’t we just thrash these guys by 29 points?” you’d be absolutely right. But before you start penciling in another blowout win, let me pump the brakes a little. This matchup promises to look a lot different, and not just because the Lakers had a 3 a.m. landing last time around.

This time, both teams come in well-rested, refreshed, and eyeing a crucial win for positioning in the tight Western Conference standings. For the Wolves, sitting at 12-11 and just a half-game behind the 13-11 Lakers, this is the perfect opportunity to leapfrog a rival and continue their December resurgence.

Rewind: How the Wolves Dominated Last Time

The Wolves’ last game against the Lakers was basically an NBA version of a spa day for Minnesota. They cruised to a 29-point win behind suffocating defense and a cohesive offensive effort. Anthony Davis? Neutralized. The Lakers’ role players? A non-factor. LeBron James? He showed up physically, but he looked like me after trying to assemble IKEA furniture—exhausted and questioning his life choices.

But here’s the thing: the Lakers were on the second night of a back-to-back, dragging themselves off a late-night flight from Salt Lake City. Friday’s game will be a different story. LeBron and Austin Reaves are listed as game-time decisions, but if LeBron plays—and I’m betting he will—this could be a much feistier Lakers squad.

The Blueprint for Beating the Lakers

Here’s the good news: the Wolves have already shown they know how to beat this team. The formula is simple: make life miserable for Anthony Davis.

When AD dropped 36 points on the Wolves in the season opener, it was like watching a cheat code. Nobody could stop him, and it was clear the Wolves needed to adjust. Fast forward to early December, and Rudy Gobert led the charge in shutting Davis down. If the Wolves can replicate that swarming, paint-protecting effort, it’s hard to see the Lakers having enough firepower to overcome Minnesota’s superior depth.

LeBron is still LeBron, but he’s not the LeBron who used to crush teams with one hand tied behind his back. At this stage, the Wolves have the personnel to limit him and put the onus on the Lakers’ supporting cast. If this game comes down to names like Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and Canis favorite, D’Angelo Russell, I like Minnesota’s chances.

The Wolves’ Keys to Victory

1. Defense First:

The Wolves’ defensive intensity has been night and day compared to earlier this season. Rudy Gobert has returned to his paint-dominating ways, and the team’s wings—Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Anthony Edwards—are creating havoc. If they can keep the Lakers uncomfortable and force contested shots, this game should be theirs.

2. Limit Turnovers:

Turnovers have been the Wolves’ Achilles’ heel in several games this season. Giving the Lakers easy opportunities in transition is a recipe for disaster. Chris Finch needs to have this team playing smart, disciplined basketball.

3. Ball Movement:

When the Wolves share the ball, good things happen. Isolation-heavy sets with Ant and Julius Randle dribbling the air out of the ball might work in short spurts, but over-relying on it stagnates the offense. Move the ball, find the open man, and exploit the Lakers’ defensive lapses.

4. Capitalize on the Lakers’ Defense:

Let’s be real—the Lakers are a defensive mess. If the Wolves keep their offense fluid and take high-quality shots, they should have no problem putting points on the board.

A Chance to Keep Climbing

This game is about more than just one win—it’s about momentum. The Wolves are coming off a strong stretch where they showed the league what they’re capable of: blowout wins over the Lakers, Clippers, and Warriors. Sure, they stumbled in their second game against Golden State, but the blueprint for success is there.

Beating the Lakers again wouldn’t just mean climbing above .500—it would mean climbing the standings, regaining confidence, and proving that this team is ready to contend. With another game against the Spurs looming, the Wolves are in a prime position to rack up some wins and set themselves up for a solid December.

Prediction

This isn’t going to be the cakewalk we saw last time. The Lakers will be rested and motivated, and Anthony Davis is probably still salty about getting shut down in their last meeting. But the Wolves have the talent advantage, the defensive blueprint, and—hopefully—the focus to handle business at home. If they stick to their game plan, I expect them to pull out a hard-fought win.

Final Score: Wolves 112, Lakers 104.

Let’s hope we see more of the December Wolves—the team that plays lockdown defense and shares the ball—and not the disjointed group we saw in November. It’s time to seize the opportunity and keep climbing the standings.