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The Minnesota Timberwolves shut the door on the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The Timberwolves needed just five games to send off LeBron James and the Lakers, who failed to force a sixth game in the series by losing at home Wednesday night to the tune of a 103-96 score.
Among the factors that doomed the Lakers in Game 5 was their slow start and poor finish. Minnesota outscored the Lakers in the first quarter by nine points and by six points in the fourth period.
A subpar offensive showing in fourth quarters was a painful theme for Los Angeles in the Minnesota series, as the Lakers averaged just 17.0 points in the final period through five games -- the worst among all NBA teams that made the playoffs through Wednesday.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9).Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Los Angeles' production in the fourth quarter in the first round was so relatively pale, it earned them an unwanted NBA record.
Via OptaSTATS: "Just 16.9% of the Lakers' points in the Timberwolves series came in the 4th quarter (85/502). That's the lowest percentage by any team in any playoff series in NBA history."
Lakers head coach JJ Redick had been criticized for his rotation management late in games during the series, which might be a reason behind his team's paltry scoring production in crunch time. The heavy minutes given to LeBron James and Luka Doncic were among the hot topics going into Game 5, especially after the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player went 0-for-2 with zero points in the fourth quarter of Game 4.
But for now, the Lakers have an entire offseason ahead of them to rest up, as they look forward to the 2025-26 campaign.
Continue reading...
Among the factors that doomed the Lakers in Game 5 was their slow start and poor finish. Minnesota outscored the Lakers in the first quarter by nine points and by six points in the fourth period.
A subpar offensive showing in fourth quarters was a painful theme for Los Angeles in the Minnesota series, as the Lakers averaged just 17.0 points in the final period through five games -- the worst among all NBA teams that made the playoffs through Wednesday.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9).Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Los Angeles' production in the fourth quarter in the first round was so relatively pale, it earned them an unwanted NBA record.
Via OptaSTATS: "Just 16.9% of the Lakers' points in the Timberwolves series came in the 4th quarter (85/502). That's the lowest percentage by any team in any playoff series in NBA history."
Lakers head coach JJ Redick had been criticized for his rotation management late in games during the series, which might be a reason behind his team's paltry scoring production in crunch time. The heavy minutes given to LeBron James and Luka Doncic were among the hot topics going into Game 5, especially after the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player went 0-for-2 with zero points in the fourth quarter of Game 4.
But for now, the Lakers have an entire offseason ahead of them to rest up, as they look forward to the 2025-26 campaign.
Continue reading...
