Naz Reid provides spark for Timberwolves in narrow win over Lakers

After the Timberwolves beat the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 14, Luka Doncic called Naz Reid Minnesota’s X factor.

Reid continues to show why he’s exactly that, no matter how high profile the opponent.

Reid provided the Timberwolves a much-needed offensive spark in their 108-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday night in front of a sold-out and very loud Target Center crowd.

Reid had 21 points and five rebounds off the bench and helped Minnesota navigate some early offensive struggles. He hit two 3-pointers in the first quarter and scored 16 in the first half to lead the Wolves (24-7) out of a first-quarter hole.

Anthony Davis was a force for the Lakers (17-16), helping them get off to a hot start by scoring 17 of his 33 points in the opening frame. Davis also recorded 17 rebounds and eight assists.

Anthony Edwards helped Minnesota close. He hit two crucial 3-pointers to help the Wolves keep narrow leads over the Lakers in the fourth quarter. He was getting MVP chants from the Target Center crowd as he knocked down two key free throws with just over two minutes remaining that gave Minnesota a 102-95 lead.

Edwards finished with 31 points, three rebounds and three assists. 

With under a minute left and up 104-100, Edwards found Mike Conley for a wide-open 3-pointer from the left corner, and the veteran knocked it down with a shot that appeared to put the game on ice. Conley had knocked down another crucial 3 in the fourth and continues to deliver in big moments for the Wolves. 

Conley finished with 15 points and seven assists. 

LeBron James, who was listed as questionable before the game with a non-COVID illness but still played 39 minutes, quickly quieted the crowd with a dunk on the Lakers’ next possession on the other end. James had 26 points, six assists and three rebounds on his 39th birthday.

James appeared to tie the game at 107-107 with 2.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter but had his foot on the line and it was ruled a 2 after review.

The Lakers fouled Edwards with 1.4 seconds remaining on the ensuing inbound and he made 1 of 2 free-throw attempts to put Minnesota up 108-106.

James couldn't get off a last-second shot attempt that would've tied the game for the Lakers.

Former Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell had five points and three assists in 20 minutes for Los Angeles, but was ruled out early in the fourth quarter for a tailbone contusion he suffered after drawing a charge at the end of the third quarter. 

The Wolves are now 14-1 at Target Center.