The Minnesota Timberwolves slammed the playoff door on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night time, sealing a 103-96 win to clinch the collection 4-1 and punch their ticket to the Western Conference semifinals.
Rudy Gobert was a drive of nature, powering the Wolves with 27 factors and 24 rebounds in a two-way masterclass that despatched the Lakers crashing out within the first spherical for the second straight season.
Minnesota now awaits the winner of the Golden State-Houston collection, whereas the Lakers are left licking their wounds after one other quick postseason – regardless of the February blockbuster commerce for Luka Doncic that reignited championship hopes.
The Lakers’ failure to accumulate a real defensive large man after Anthony Davis’ departure to Dallas got here again to hang-out them Wednesday, as Gobert dominated across the rim.
The Lakers – who surged to the No. 3 seed following Doncic’s arrival – had been additionally discovered wanting offensively, with James, Doncic and Austin Reaves combining for simply 5 3-pointers.
“It feels great,” Gobert informed TNT after the win. “We had a season with ups and downs, so to come back right here and play the way in which we did means rather a lot.
“We just have a bunch of guys that want to win. A lot of guys have been through adversity throughout their careers and lives, and we love each other … all the things we went through this season prepared us for this moment.”
Gobert’s effort was backed by 23 factors from Julius Randle, whereas Anthony Edwards added 15 factors, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Doncic led the Lakers with 28 factors. Rui Hachimura chipped in 23, and James completed with 22.
Lakers coach JJ Redick blamed “too many turnovers, too many offensive rebounds” for the defeat.
“We put ourselves in a position to be in the game three times in the fourth quarter and just came up short every time,” Redick stated.
The 40-year-old James, in the meantime, refused to take a position on how for much longer he plans to play after an abrupt finish to his twenty second NBA season.
“I don’t have an answer to that,” James stated. “I’ll sit down with my wife, family and support group … have a conversation with myself on how long I want to continue to play. We’ll see.”
Rockets romp
In Wednesday’s different playoff recreation, the Houston Rockets stored their season alive with a 131-116 rout of the Golden State Warriors, chopping the collection deficit to 3-2.
Fred VanVleet scored 26 factors, Amen Thompson added 25 factors and 5 steals, and Dillon Brooks chipped in 24 for the Rockets. Houston led by as many as 31 and was up by 29 when Warriors coach Steve Kerr pulled Stephen Curry and the opposite starters with 5:50 left within the third quarter.
With their season on the road after a heartbreaker in Game 4, the Rockets blasted out of the gate.
They linked on 64.7% of their pictures within the first quarter en path to a 40-24 lead. VanVleet drilled three of Houston’s six 3-pointers within the opening interval, and the Rockets made all 13 of their free throws in a dominant begin.
Golden State regarded powerless to reply. Curry and Jimmy Butler had been scoreless within the first quarter, when the Warriors dedicated 5 turnovers and didn’t try a free throw.
Curry’s first bucket – a 3-pointer – got here halfway by means of the second quarter, however Golden State made little headway in opposition to Houston’s smothering protection. The Rockets led 76-49 at halftime.
Kerr stated he had no regrets about sitting his stars in a possible series-clinching recreation – giving relaxation to the 37-year-old Curry (enjoying by means of a thumb harm), Draymond Green, and Butler, who missed Game 3 with a pelvic situation.
Golden State will attempt to shut out the collection at residence in Game 6 on Friday.
“We can’t come out with that lack of defensive focus and energy and expect to beat a great team on their home floor,” Kerr stated. “They took it to us – they were awesome tonight.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com