Lakers bounce back after opening playoff loss

Luka Doncic (YouTube)

The Los Angeles Lakers bounced back significantly on Tuesday in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. After suffering a significant 117-95 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in game one on Saturday, the Lakers tied the best out of seven series with a 94-85 game two win.

What we saw in game two, was a much improved Lakers defense, which gave up a staggering 32 fewer points than they did in game one. The two Timberwolves who had a major drop off in offensive production were center Naz Reid of Asbury Park, New Jersey and power forward Jaden McDaniels of Federal Way, Washington. In game one, Reid had 23 points off the bench, while McDaniels led the team with 25 points. In game two, Reid only scored nine points (14 point drop), and McDaniels only scored eight points (17 points drop).

The Lakers were led offensively in game two by Luka Doncic of Ljubljana, Slovenia, who had 31 points. Doncic also had 12 rebounds for the double double.

On Tuesday, we also saw another convincing win by the Oklahoma City Thunder. After winning by a remarkable 131-80 score over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, the Thunder once again won by double digits as they came out on top 118-99.

Another team that is up two games to none are the Indiana Pacers. On Tuesday, they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 123-115. In game two, we saw the return of star point guard Damian Lillard. The former Trail Blazer had not played since March 18 because of a serious calf injury, but showed signs of productivity as he scored 14 points in 37 minutes. This series now shifts to the cheese state.