E Da Old Tymer

The Los Angeles Lakers (2-2) will receive a chilly reception at Target Center when they take the floor to take on Julius Randle and the ever physical Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2).  Currently, both teams sit at seventh and eighth place in the stacked Western Conference and the Lakers will be looking to get back into the win column.

Leading the charge for the limping Lakers will be their current first option, shooting guard Austin Reaves.  Reaves has been on a scoring terror as of late, highlighted by a 41 point outing in Monday night’s loss to the visiting Portland Trailblazers.  Reaves will definitely need some help since the Lakers are still playing short-handed. Luca Doncic and veteran forward LeBron James will be sidelined again tonight.  Relief may be on the horizon as it has been projected that Marcus Smart, who sat out the last contest with a leg injury, has been upgraded to questionable and may suit up for the purple and gold.  The Lakers are also hopeful to see if DeAndre Ayton can continue to improve and fit in.  Ayton has scored 16 and 22 in his last two games and is looking better on the defensive end. 

The Timberwolves are also off to a rocky start as they strive to surpass last year’s Western Conference finals run.  They will also be looking to rebound from their recent loss to the Denver Nuggets.  Unfortunately, the injury bug has bit the Timberwolves recently.  Star guard Anthony Edwards is expected to miss this match up and more with a hamstring injury.  This leaves Julius Randle to try and fill the 26 points a night the injured guard brings.  The veteran forward is having a career year, averaging 25 points per contest on an impressive 56 percent shooting and an astonishing 43 percent from long range.  The Timberwolves will also need to rely on role players like Naz Reid and Terrence Shannon Jr. if they intend secure the win.

Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. at Target Center

Lakers Projected Starting Line-Up:

Jake LaRavia (G)

Austin Reaves (G)

Rui Hachimura (F

Jarred Vanderbilt (F)

DeAndre Ayton (C)

Timberwolves Projected Starting Line-Up:

Donte DiVincenzo (G)

Mike Conley (G)

Jaden McDaniels (F)

Julius Randle (F)

Rudy Gobert (C)

Lakers Projected Injury Report:

Luka Doncic (Out – finger sprain and left leg contusion)

LeBron James (Out – Sciatic nerve)

Maxi Kleber (Out – Abdominal strain)

Adou Thiero (Out – Knee surgery recovery)

Gabe Vincent (Out – Left ankle sprain)

Marcus Smart (Questionable – Right quad contusion)

Jaxson Hayes (Questionable – Left leg)

Timberwolves Projected Injury Report:

Jaylen Clark (Questionable – Left calf strain)

Anthony Edwards (Out – Right hamstring strain)