On April 24, US time, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the Lakers were at home and welcomed their third game of the first round of playoffs, and their opponent was still the Minnesota Timberwolves.

On this day, Staples Stadium was crowded with people, unlike the Clippers who lost two home games in a row. The Lakers' tenacity shown in this year's playoffs fascinated the fans. In addition, Tang Shuai's unique influence in Los Angeles, fans have covered the entire arena.

Moreover, the fans who attended this game were unprecedentedly eye-catching.

In addition to the three-time Oscar winner Nicholson coming to the scene, even the "God of Basketball" Jordan came to the sidelines to cheer for the home team. In addition, Chinese movie stars Jet Li and Zhang Ziyi came to the scene, and it can be seen that this game is no longer just an ordinary playoff game, but has become a "stage".

The game attracted enough attention, and for the players, this game also seemed extremely important.

Whether it is the Lakers or the Timberwolves, as long as they win this game, they will lead 2-1 in the first round. This is actually a watershed. Whoever wins it, can win another game and get a match point. The importance is self-evident.

The players on both sides came to the stadium an hour in advance. Their actions showed how much they valued the game, and no one dared to slacken off.

Compared with the first two games, the Timberwolves players looked much more serious and indifferent. It was obvious that the defeat in the second game had a big blow to them. You should know that they are the third in the West. If they lose the series, they will be "black six" by the Lakers.

In contrast, the Lakers players' expressions were much more relaxed. The feeling of pressure that originally permeated the players' heads had disappeared. Just from the training movements, they could see that they were obviously much more relaxed.

"Kenny, we haven't partnered with the Lakers game for a long time." In the commentary seat, Barkley, who was sluggish, touched his bald head, turned to Kenny Smith on the side and said.

"Yes, the Lakers' performance this season is really impressive. It turns out that Mickey's offseason gambling is right. They returned to the playoffs in the first season after Kobe retired." Smith sighed.

"Kenny, you are trying to get rid of yourself by saying this." Barkley said with a smile.

Smith was stunned, and then realized that his words were ambiguous. After smiling awkwardly, he changed the subject and said: "This game is a game that cannot be afforded for both sides, but the game will eventually be a winner. I don't know who can laugh to the end."

"Well, the Timberwolves were a little out of shape in the last game. They became obviously serious tonight. This was destined to be a tough battle." Barkley nodded in agreement.

Just as the two started chatting in the stands, the players on the court had already finished their final warm-up and came onto the stadium amid cheers from the fans on the scene.

The Lakers' team is no different from the previous games. The inside line is still the partner of Gasol and Noel, while the Timberwolves has made another adjustment to the lineup, and Thibodeau put Aldridge back in the middle.

The ones who jumped the ball were still Towns and Noel.

As soon as the referee whistle sounded, Noel took off this time and drove the ball back to the Lakers' half before Towns reached out.

A deafening cheer suddenly broke out at the scene.

Compared with the cold of Minnesota, Los Angeles, which was already enthusiastic, showed its hot enthusiasm from the beginning.

Feeling the enthusiasm of the fans around, the Lakers players showed an excited expression on their faces again. They fought two tough battles away under pressure and returned to the home court. They really felt refreshed in their hearts.

Shuai Tang took the ball to the frontcourt and asked Noel to do a pick-and-roll. After breaking the ball, he broke through. Aldridge double-teamed up, and Towns retreated to the basket.

It can be clearly seen that after the defeat in the second game, Thibodeau made major adjustments in defense.

Shuai Tang passed the ball to Gasol. Gasol took a step to layup, and Towns immediately rushed over. At the same time, Aldridge shrank the basket.

Gasol wanted to pass the ball to Noel, but Towns straightened his long arm and just didn't give him any vision.

It has to be admitted that after a season of cooperation between Towns and Aldridge, the tacit understanding between the two was quite high.

Gasol forced his opponent to beat Towns. After turning around, his move was disturbed by Towns. He jumped out of the basket and was grabbed by Aldridge, who was stuck at the position under the basket.

The Lakers' first offense failed.

However, although he did not grab the rebound, Noel still reached out to interfere with Aldridge's passing route. This delay prevented the Timberwolves from a fast break opportunity.

The fast break failed, Rubio slowly advanced to the frontcourt with the ball, and asked Towns and Wiggins to make an unball pick-and-roll, and then distributed it to Wiggins who had the ball broken.

Wiggins directly jumped after receiving the ball.

"Swish!"

Noel's assisted defense was in place, but Wiggins felt good and hit steadily against the defense.

2-0, at the beginning, the Timberwolves' competitive condition seemed to be good.

"Hey, guys, we are all showing our enthusiasm for the game. We want to win this game!" Tang Shuai didn't turn around and shouted at the players as he pushed forward with the ball.

When he arrived at the frontcourt, he called Gasol for a pick-and-roll. After blocking, he made a step in, and then passed the ball to Gasol who had dismantled it out.

Gasol made a high jump shot.

"Bang!"

The middle distance shot, but Noel jumped to the line this time and tried hard to grab a frontcourt rebound, which directly caused Aldridge's defensive foul.

Two free throws chances.

There was applause at the scene.

Shuai Tang also gave Noel a thumbs up.

Noel stepped onto the free throw line, made 1 of 2 free throws, and won the Lakers' first point.

The Timberwolves stopped him again. When they arrived in the frontcourt, Rubio took advantage of Aldridge's pick-and-roll and suddenly passed to Wiggins on the outside. Wiggins hit Deng at a glance, followed by another jump shot.

"Bang!"

This time, the basketball hit the backboard, but as soon as the basketball hit the rebound, Towns took the lead and grabbed the ball with him with his arm span. Before Nol could react, he turned around and shot backwards.

"Swish!"

Towns's fallback scored two points.

4 to 1.

"Please pay attention to the position!" Xiao walked to the sidelines and shouted.

Tang Shuai was pushing forward with the ball and playing in a few rounds, and he could clearly feel that the Timberwolves were more focused than the previous game.

Outside the three-point line in the frontcourt, he made a two-way pick-and-roll request for Noel and Deng.

When the two men made the pick-and-roll, he accelerated and rushed from Deng's side.

When he broke through, Noel cut in and Deng walked out, and the three men formed three attack lines.

When he broke through to a step inside the free throw line, Tang Shuai passed the ball to Deng with a fake move, and then passed the ball across the air to Noel.

When he broke through, Towns and Aldridge both intentionally moved closer to his position. This hidden pass with fake moves deceived them. Noel jumped in and then jumped into a powerful slam dunk.

"Bang!"

With a dull sound, there were a roar of tsunamis and thunders on the scene.

4-3, both sides played back and forth at the beginning.

When the Timberwolves' offense, Rubio arrived at the frontcourt, Raven and Wiggins ran out from the inside, and he passed the ball to Wiggins.

Wiggins raised his hand and made a three-pointer.

Batum was delayed by Towns and his jump was slowed down by half a beat.

"Swish!"

Wiggins made a precise three-pointer. After scoring the goal, Wiggins made a three-pointer gesture at him. He made 2 of 3 shots at the beginning, and obviously felt hot.

7-3, the Timberwolves expanded the score.

“let's.go!lake!”

The audience began to cheer for the home team.

Tang Shuai advanced to the frontcourt again, called Gasol for a pick-and-roll, and directly made a stretch shot from outside the three-point line.

His three-pointer was quite threatening, and Towns and Rubio had already saved at the same time.

Shuai Tang jumped high, and Towns also jumped and blocked.

However, just when everyone thought that Tang Shuai was going to make a strong shot, he suddenly threw the ball forward. Because of the first jump, the ball shot was high, and the basketball flew directly over the top of Towns' head, and then followed Gasol, who was cutting the empty space under the net's basket.

Gasol received the ball and leaned against his tall body to make a layup with three major steps.

Aldridge obviously would not let him succeed easily, so he blocked him out.

However, Gasol is also experienced. Before his body loses balance, he glances at the basket and then gently throws the ball up with his right hand.

"beep!"

"Swish!"

The whistle of foul sounded.

And just the next second, the basketball also entered the net.

Gasol scored the first goal of the game, and it was a wonderful 2+1 goal.

After scoring the goal, Gasol reached out and waved in front of him.

When he entered the playoffs, his performance was not very good. This goal obviously improved his personal morale.

However, this is also due to Tang Shuai's exquisite pass, which gives him the opportunity to break through Aldridge one-on-one.

He turned around and clenched Towns, then walked to the free throw line.

"Swish!"

Free throws are Gasol's strengths. After hitting the free throw steadily, he helped the team to score 6-7.

"Charles, this game is more anxious than I imagined. At the beginning of the game, both sides played cautiously and actively." Smith couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the duel on the court.

"At this time, we have to see which side can break the deadlock. The more anxious the game is, as long as you don't bite, the game will be one-sided." Barkley has unique insights.

At this moment, Rubio advanced to the Lakers' half with the ball.

"Follow your own person!" Xiao walked to the sidelines and shouted.

The Lakers' defensive intensity is obviously much stronger than before.

Rubio suddenly gave Wiggins, but Deng was defensively defending the defensive position at this time, Wiggins did not get much offensive opportunities.

At this time, Towns came over to make a pick-and-roll for him. He took a step back and started shooting.
Chapter completed!