The NBA world awaits Friday's game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. It is the biggest game of the season so far, as massive playoff implications hang in the balance.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the NBA's newest sensation Austin Reaves will look to surpass Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards in the Western Conference Standings.
The T-Wolves (39-38) sit at No. 8 in the standings, with Lakers (38-38) at their tail in No. 9. As the teams prepared, coaches from each staff met with the media, including Lakers head coach Darvin Ham.
Here he is detailing the Lakers' plans to combat the Timberwolves' size.
Darvin Ham on the strategy and importance of tonight's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. pic.twitter.com/OGw5jj24HI
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 31, 2023
“We have to come out and play with pace, make quick decisions. The more you hold the ball, the more you take extra unnecessary dribbles within a possession, the longer the more athletic they get, and you allow their defense to settle and disrupt what you are trying to do.”
Sounds like Ham wants to go fast. They did so last game against the Chicago Bulls, and led wire to wire in a 121-110 victory. Coach Ham believes if the Lakers aren't active on both sides of the floor, the Timberwolves will be able to fall into sets, schemes, and a rhythm protecting the basket.
“Making quick decisions in the half court, really getting hits, setting good screens to create an advantage, and if you're open shoot it, if you're not open swing it.”
Coach Ham's philosophy is cohesive on both ends. He wants to keep the ball moving, keep the legs going, and wear out this Timberwolves team for 48 minutes.
This is the plan, but not a proof from Coach Darvin Ham. If all goes well, the Lakers play fast and end the night in the No. 8 spot in the West. The Timberwolves could have something to say about that.
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