Los Angeles Lakers 122
Minnesota Timberwolves 123 (OT)
On Kobe Bryant’s last visit to Target Center in a Laker uniform, he had a good seat for a thrilling fourth quarter and overtime, as the Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 123-122 in overtime Wednesday night. Three things:
1) Kevin Martin scores 37
The Timberwolves had struggled through four straight losses and Martin had been doing some struggling of his own. But on this night the 11-year NBA veteran broke through, hitting six of his nine three-pointers and logging more time on the court than any other Timberwolf.
2) Kobe (and KG) watch the young guns finish
In a move that gave more credence to Kobe Bryant’s decision to retire after the season, the Laker great spent the entire fourth quarter and overtime of this nail-biter of a game on the bench. The Wolves’ elder statesman Kevin Garnett stayed similarly seated during crunch time.
But Bryant had a good look at the driving move that L.A. youngster DeAngelo Russell used to send the game into overtime.
.@DLoading hits the clutch shot to send the game into OT! #LALatMIN https://t.co/Hzo5ucDJi0
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 10, 2015
3) RubiO-for-4 still a difference maker
Ricky Rubio lit up Russell and the Lakers for 28 points when these teams met on opening night. This time Rubio did not make a single shot from the field, with five free throws the totality of his scoring. The irony is, he still had a good game. As
.@DLoading hits the clutch shot to send the game into OT! #LALatMIN https://t.co/Hzo5ucDJi0
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 10, 2015
” target=”_blank”>the box score shows, Rubio handed out 12 assists, grabbed nine rebounds, and the Wolves outscored L.A. by 22 points while he was on the floor.
Tweet of the Night
The Lakers used to play here, y’know. And the guy who’s played more Laker games than anyone was here for the last time.
Kobe buzz at Timberwolves-Lakers game tonight (H/T @Lakers) pic.twitter.com/VfBNLK8BKO
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 10, 2015
Up Next
The Timberwolves hope to stay on the winning track when they visit Denver for a Friday night contest with the Nuggets.
