Timberwolves 98 - 106 Lakers
Final
  for this game

Lakers shoot for another Pacific title vs. Wolves

Mar 18, 2011 - 3:10 PM (Sports Network) - Another Pacific Division crown is a fait accompli for the reigning two-time NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. The actual coronation, however, could take place tonight when Phil Jackson's club searches for its 15th straight win over the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves.

A Lakers win over the Wolves coupled with a Phoenix loss to Golden State in the desert would give LA its fourth straight Pacific Division title.

The Lakers reached the cusp of the crown by winning their second straight and for the 10th time in 11 games on Monday when Pau Gasol led the way with 23 points and five rebounds, while frontcourt mate Andrew Bynum held his own against Dwight Howard with 10 points and 18 boards, as Los Angeles used a big second half to down Orlando, 97-84, at Staples Center.

Kobe Bryant, despite playing with a sprained left ankle, scored 16 points with five rebounds and four assists, while Derek Fisher chipped in 15 points. Lamar Odom added 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Lakers, who are deadlocked with Dallas for the second spot in the Western Conference, 6 1/2 games behind San Antonio.

"We got it together in the second half and made more shots and made more plays," said Gasol. "Defensively we were better and we were able to put pressure on their guys."

Bryant did not practice Wednesday but is expected to play tonight.

The Wolves, meanwhile, lost their second in a row on a three-game road trip in Salt Lake City on Wednesday when C.J. Miles scored a career-high 40 points, including 6-of-7 from beyond the arc, as the Jazz topped Minnesota, 119-104.

Kevin Love posted 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead Minnesota, which has dropped two in a row. Michael Beasley and Luke Ridnour both scored 16 while Darko Milicic and Anthony Randolph both added 10 points in the loss.

"They have been doing this for the past, I don't even know how long, they set great picks, they get guys open and they have tremendous passers on their team so they look to exploit miss matches and it's just something they have been doing for a long time so we really respect the Utah Jazz," Love said.

Love's impressive 53-game double-doubles streak ended in the opener of the Wolves trip in Oakland on Sunday.

Minnesota hasn't beaten the Lakers since March 6, 2007, and has lost nine straight in the series at Staples Center.






Related News