Forget Kobe Bryant, it was Xavier Henry, Jodie Meeks and Nick Young helping the Lakers stave off the Timberwolves, 104-91 Friday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Bryant missed his first game since suffering a fractured knee that is expected to keep him out 4-6 weeks.
With Bryant out, Pau Gasol picked up the slack, finishing with 21 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. But the difference in the game was the play of Henry, Meeks and Young, who combined to score 74 points on 23-43 shooting.
Young was an impressive 9-13 from the floor with 25 points. He connected on 4-5 three-point shots.
Minnesota simply couldn’t stop the Lakers on the defensive end. L.A. fired away at a 53.8 percent clip for the game. The Wolves shot an ugly 34.7 percent for the game.
Kevin Love led the Wolves with 25 points and 13 rebounds. Nikola Pekovic added 22 points and Kevin Martin scored 14.
Minnesota stays in L.A. with a game against the Clippers on Sunday.
