Anthony Edwards scored 23 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 97-87 on Friday night.
Julius Randle added 21 points and Jaden McDaniels scored 18 for Minnesota, which won for the fifth time in six games. Rudy Gobert had 13 rebounds to go with 12 points.
The Timberwolves are 14-2 at home against the Lakers since the 2015-16 season, including four straight wins.
Anthony Davis led Los Angeles with 23 points and 11 rebounds, but the Lakers lost for the eighth time in 11 games. Austin Reaves scored 18 points in his first game back after missing five games with a left pelvis contusion, and Max Christie added 15.
Los Angeles had 21 turnovers.
LeBron James missed his second straight game for the Lakers with left foot soreness and was also away from the team this week for “personal reasons.” Coach JJ Redick said before the game that he has no idea when James will return.
Over the past eleven games, Los Angeles has averaged 103.3 points while their opponents have averaged 113.7 points.
Defense has been Minnesota’s strongest suit during its recent run of success. Los Angeles shot just 38.4%, the third time in four games that a Timberwolves foe failed to reach 40%. In Minnesota’s past five wins, no opponent has scored more than 92 points.
Mike Conley missed a three-pointer for Minnesota and Rui Hachimura got the rebound for Los Angeles. However, the ball was stolen by Randle, who quickly fed McDaniels for a layup and an 89-82 lead with 2:03 to go.
Averaging 37.5% from deep, Minnesota was just 9 for 32 (28.1%) from 3. The Lakers were 10 of 35 (28.6%) on long-range shooting.
The Timberwolves will face the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.
