The Los Angeles Lakers got thoroughly outclassed in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, They lost by a final score of 117-95, and in particular, they got beaten like a drum in a few statistical categories.
Rebounding was a big problem, and it was worse than the numbers would suggest. Los Angeles got outrebounded 44-38, and it allowed the Timberwolves to grab 11 offensive rebounds, which led to 23 second-chance points. It also got outscored 44-32 in the paint and 25-6 in fast-break points, and it shot just 39.8% from the field.
Many knew that the Timberwolves' superior size and length in their frontcourt would be a problem before Game 1 started. Lakers head coach JJ Redick said afterward that while he felt that his team did OK in terms of some of the intangibles, it may not have been ready to compete in one aspect.
"I'm not sure physically we were ready, if that makes sense," Redick said.
The size disparity will likely continue to be a leading storyline throughout this series, and all the Lakers can do is play with 100% physicality, which still may not be enough to win the rebounding battle. But one thing the Lakers can realistically do better is defend the 3-point line. Their rotations to Minnesota's outside shooters were too slow, allowing Minnesota to go 21-of-42 from beyond the arc.
They also need more offense from LeBron James, who had 19 points, Austin Reaves, who scored 16 points, and their bench, which produced an anemic 13 points.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick feels the Lakers weren't ready for Game 1 in one regard
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