Lakers needs star power to shine in Game 2 as they trail Timberwolves

The Crypto.com Arena opens its doors again on Tuesday night (10 pm ET) for Game 2 in the best-of-seven series as the LA Lakers face Minnesota after the home side lost in the first test.

LeBron James and Luka Doncic will need to step up to the plater after Saturday’s 117-95 surprise loss.

“When you play the Minnesota team, you got to be physical. That’s what they bring to the table,” James said.

“So maybe it took us one playoff game to now get a feel for the type of intensity, the type of physicality that’s going to be brought to the game, but that’s just the way they play.”

The Lakers looked good in the first quarter as Doncic got off to a solid start, finishing with a game-high 37 points, but from the second quarter onward the Timberwolves were in control.

Anthony Edwards smartly broke down the Lakers’ defense to score 22 points, eight rebounds and nine assists as part of a balanced Minnesota attack that also saw big contributions from Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid.

Minnesota had been given little chance ahead of Game One, with many media outlets predicting a Lakers’ sweep, and Edwards said he had told his teammates to use that as fuel.

“We’re the underdogs. I told them to be aggressive and come out ready to fight,” he added.

Asked how they can repeat their success in Game Two on Tuesday, Edwards said the key was to fight to the last second.

“Same mindset - be aggressive,” he said. “Try to throw the first punch and the last punch.”

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