Lakers vs. Timberwolves Final Score: Lakers survive overtime in 130-119 victory

The Los Angeles Lakers were down by as many as 15 points to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the purple and gold pulled it together in an exciting 130-119 overtime victory. Julius Randle’s putback dunk with 1:24 left in overtime was the equivalent of blowing out the Timberwolves’ candles, and the Lakers won their 21st game of the season on the night the franchise honored Shaquille O’Neal with a mammoth of a statue.

The Timberwolves gave up an eight point lead through the final two minutes of regulation, and the Lakers suddenly found themselves in position to win their second game since the All-Star break

Jordan Clarkson was the hot man tonight, in a zone of his own from beyond the arc. He made eight of his ten three-point attempts, setting a new career-high from deep.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 19 points in the first half, seemingly doing whatever he pleased against the Lakers’ interior defense. He scored just six points through the second half and overtime, though, and LA took advantage of their leading man finally slowing down. Towns finished the night with a 25 points and 13 rebounds.

Andrew Wiggins never stopped, though, scoring 36 points on 14-of-28 shooting. Ricky Rubio did a find job of finding his teammates all night, dishing out a whopping 15 assists.

Outside of some horrendous defense in the second quarter — the Lakers gave up 40 points — it was a solid all-around game from LA. Julius Randle chipped in with a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double, D’Angelo Russell dished six assists with 14 points, and three bench players reached double-digit scoring totals.

All that for a win on the night Shaq’s eternal dunk at STAPLES Center was unveiled. Not a bad night for the Lakers. Condolences to those riding the tank lines, though Devin Booker dropping 70 yet the Phoenix Suns still losing is your consolation prize.