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The Los Angeles Lakers dance with the Minnesota Timberwolves one last time as the season winds down Sunday evening. Karl-Anthony Towns and company are paying a visit to STAPLES Center, and for what feels like the tenth time in two weeks, these two young squads are facing off.
This will be the third time in three weeks the Lakers and Timberwolves have tangoed, with Minnesota holding a 2-1 series lead and winning the previous meeting. Ricky Rubio went off for a career-high 33 points last time, becoming an Splash Bro while making four of his five three-point attempts. The Lakers may want to not let that, or the 10 assists he slung, happen again.
The Lakers are the only non-playoff team currently on a winning streak, and they take their second three-gamer of the season into battle. The tanking is all but over, taking a massive blow when the Lakers held on tight to a narrow victory over the Sacramento Kings while the Phoenix Suns stifled Russell Westbrook.
This means the need to lose is all but over. It could happen, but it seems unlikely that the Suns will win-out their final two games. Even then, the Lakers would have to win at most only one of their final three games. Losing hasn’t been the Lakers’ problem, but the Suns have been even better at it down the stretch.
Anything is possible, but it’s best not to get worked up over the final games. It’s a high-risk commitment if you’re still in for the tank. Overall, at this point it’s almost better off just letting the chips fall as they may. Enjoy a game featuring some talented kids, and one of the final games of the year.
Time: 6:30 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet, NBA TV