The Minnesota Timberwolves made a game of it down the stretch, but they were not able to get over the hump in a 106-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at home. With 3:19 left the Timberwolves held a small 94-93 lead, but the Lakers got behind Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant to pull away in the final minutes. Each had two baskets as the Lakers closed it out late.
Bryant exploded for 35 points, the bulk of which came in the second half as the future Hall of Famer took the game over. Gasol also had 28, while Bynum finished with 21.
Kevin Love had a big game of his own for Minnesota with an impressive 33 points and 13 rebounds. Michael Beasley had 18 points off the bench as Minnesota made a second half run, but could not finish the game off. Their last lead came with 3:19 left on a three-pointer from Martell Webster. The Timberwolves attempted an astounding 104 shots from the field, and 24 offensive rebounds kept them in the ballgame.
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