3 takeaways from Lakers Game 2 win against the Wolves

The Lakers’ physicality, LeBron setting the tone defensively and clutch performances from Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves helped them get a huge Game 2 win over the Wolves.

The Lakers bounced back from their series-opening loss with a win in Game 2 on Tuesday, 94-85.

As expected, Los Angeles, feeling the desperation, came out and swung first, leading by as many as 22 before Minnesota clawed back.

Luka Dončić again exploded in the first quarter with 16 points and two 3-pointers. The Lakers took a 19-point lead into the second quarter, and the game turned into a rock fight, a shocker in modern basketball as neither team reached 100 points.

Both teams were cold from downtown, combining for just 11-54 (20%) on their triples. You don’t get style points for wins in the postseason, and the Lakers will take the win any way they can.

Let’s explore the three key takeaways from this one.

Lakers matched the Wolves’ physicality.

Following Game 1, head coach J.J. Redick and the team’s messaging focused on how the Lakers could not match the Timberwolves’ physicality. On Tuesday, they not only matched it but also punched first.

L.A. held Minnesota to just 5-18 shooting in the first quarter, setting the tone with an active defense while keeping the Wolves off the glass. After surrendering 21 3-pointers in Game 1, Minnesota attempted only 25 in Game 2, connecting on just five.

Jaxson Hayes again played only nine minutes, and the center-less minutes won the rebounding battle 41-34 while tying for points in the paint.

The Lakers must bring that same level of physicality into Game 3.

LeBron set the tone defensively.

Allowing 117 points to the Timberwolves in Game 1 was unsustainable and L.A. needed to regain its defensive edge. They found it with LeBron James, who catalyzed the team.

He flew around the floor, morphing between protecting the rim and defending against Anthony Edwards on the perimeter. With Hayes quickly subbed out after two immediate fouls, LeBron took it upon himself to control the glass.

In 40 minutes, LeBron finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds, a block, and a steal, which was the play of the game. He picked Edwards near half court, leading to a breakaway layup that pushed the lead back to double digits as Minnesota surged.

This was some of the thinking after the Lakers acquired Luka in the blockbuster trade, allowing LeBron to conserve more energy for the defensive end due to the reduced offensive load.

The Lakers are beginning to see the fruits of that idea, and will need more of the same for Game 3.

Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves come up big.

Both Hachimura and Reaves struggled to find their footing in Game 1, looking as if the speed and physicality would be too much for them in this series. However, on Tuesday, both delivered massive performances to keep L.A. in a comfortable position.

Hachimura finished with 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and a steal in 34 minutes. He did all this after getting smacked in the face, which resulted in him trying out multiple masks in-game.

When the offense stalled, Hachimura made timely cuts to the middle of the floor, getting off his patented mid-range jump shots. He had a huge and-one baseline cut from LeBron right before the half, too.

His main contributions, though, came on the defensive end. He boxed out the Minnesota big men, matching the intensity and physicality the game asked for. Hachimura had multiple instances of maintaining verticality, challenging defenders at the rim without fouling.

Reaves was cold from 3-point range again, going 0-6, but went 7-8 from inside the arc. He hunted Gobert on switches late in the fourth and didn’t settle, getting drives with finishes at the basket.

As Minnesota started to threaten, Reaves hit clutch mid-range jump shots to stem the tide. He finished with 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and just one turnover in a game leading 42 minutes of play.

As the series moves to Minnesota, Hachimura and Reaves, building on their Game 2 performances, will be crucial in the Lakers getting wins in a hostile road environment.

The two teams will get a bit more rest now as Game 3 takes place on Friday.

You can follow Raj on Twitter at @RajChipalu.