Melissa Rohlin
Fox Sports NBA writer
When LeBron James left the Lakers wardrobe with black tracksmen and a black sweatshirt after game 2 or the first -round playoff series of his team against Minnesota on Tuesday, a staff member slightly made fun of him who had dressed him that he was dressed in dress.
James laughed.
He then joked that he had anticipated that he was going to be exhausted, so he needed to dress comfortably.
James was very aware that to recover from the 0-1 Lakers deficit, he would need to pour each ounce of his energy in the combination of the front line of the Rudy Gobert of 7 feet 1, 6-9 Jadme, and 6-9 Jadans and 6-9-9-9iels and 6-9-9iels and 6-9 force are not strengthened in the physicist and 6-9.
The Lakers responded to their 22-point drubbing in game 1 by leading up to 22 points in game 2 and enruting a 94-85 victory, drawing the series with 1-1. They came prepared for this rock fight, after appearing previously with only sand in their fists.
If I looked closely, there were signs that things would be different.
Before game 1, the Lakers coach JJ Redick was unusually rigid and serious while talking to the media. Before game 2, I was relaxed.
Before game 1, Redick lamented not using the team free week to sneak more. Before game 2, the Lakers had a practice of bruises. Redick said: “The best practice we have had in months. James added:” One of the best practices we had throughout the year. “
Finally, James, cools us in his thinking before game 2, launching the last episode of his podcast, “Mind the game.” He called the playoffs as a drug, referring to the intoxicating joy that comes from playing for a team that believes he has an opportunity to win.
Do you think that a guy who tok 10 teams to the finals of the NBA, winning four championships, was going to let his team go down 0-2 at home with the possibility of a fifth ring in the line?
Things were different from the notices.
The Lakers are stunned by the blows and push of the great men of the Timberwolves. Instead, they were the aggressors. They were starting contact. They were frustrating Anthony Edwards Co. were swarming. Combined teams for 46 personal offenses last the time of the year when the referees doubt their whistles.
“It doesn’t matter if you lose per 100 or lose for 1,” said James, who had 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. “Both hurt. You can’t sleep. So, it’s about how you stay similar and how you make adjustments.”
This time, the Lakers locked themselves defensive, keeping the Timberwolves only 5 for 25 shots from beyond the arch, after allowing Minnesota to establish a franchise postseason record going 21 of 42 from the 3 -point line in game 1.
This time, they returned to the defense, keeping the Timberwolves just six quick break -up points after Minnesota exploded for 25 fast points in their debut in the series.
This time, they were boxing, surpassing the Timberwolves 41-34 after Minnesota obtained the best of them in the tables in the first game, 44-38.
For Reaves and the rest of the Lakers, game 2 was personal.
“I think he goes back to the other night when we basically punk,” said Reaves, who had 16 points, five rebounds and five assists. “Call a shovel a shovel. They come here, game 1, and we punch.
For the Lakers, everyone tried to do their part to ensure that the game did not get away from them, which would undoubtedly have put their season on life support.
Rui hashimura did not go back after being beaten in the face in the first quarter. He returned with a mask and continued mixing things at both ends of the court. “He played as a warrior tonight,” said Redick.
Redick did not hesitate to be the bad when the advantage of the Lakers was reduced to 11 points with 7:40 remaining in the third quarter. He called a waiting time and cover to his team.
“What’s happening?” Redick could be heard in the TNT transmission. “What are you doing? Come on!”
He removed the Lakers from his momentary fog.
“That is JJ,” James said. “At this point, for us, obviously, we need to listen to the message and not how he is delivering it. For me, my high school coach my first year was in the same way. He will destroy himself. It is not.
And James did not blink when the advantage of the Lakers was reduced to nine points in the last quarter. Instead, he stole the Edwards ball with remaining 2:40 and made a running tray, sealing the victory of the Lakers.
“He made a winning play,” said Luka Doncic.
As for Doncic, he continued showing why he shines in the postseason, ending with 31 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists after having 37 points and eight rebounds in game 1.
The difference this time was that Doncic had some help.
After game 1, experts were wonders of the Lakers were too surpassed by the size of the Timberwolves to compete in this series.
In game 2, the Lakers calmed that narrative.
For James, he took a lot of effort. But it came prepared for the occasion, both mental, physically and with the clean attire.
Melissa Rohlin is an NBA writer for Fox Sports. She previously covered the Sports Illustrated League, the Los Angeles Times, the news group from the Bay area and the San Antonio Express-News. Follow her on Twitter @Melissarohlin.
Get more from the National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to obtain information about games, news and more