LOS ANGELES Lakers overcame a double-digit deficit to beat Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, 108-102, in the 2022-2023 NBA Western Conference play-in tournament on Tuesday night (Wednesday in the Philippines) at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Down by as much as 15 points in the third quarter to take a 98-95 lead on a three-pointer by Dennis Schroder, but three free throws by Timberwolves’ Mike Conley with under a second left send the game into overtime.
The Lakers leaned on its experience in the extension period with a triple by Rui Hachimura, a basket by Schroder and free throws by Anthony Davis to complete the come-from-behind win.
LeBron James led the Lakers with double-double 30 points and 10 rebounds, Davis also had double-double 24 points and 15 boards, Schroder added 21 points, while Hachimura and Austin Reaves had 12 each.
The victory allowed the Lakers to make a return trip to the NBA playoffs as the No.7 seed team in the Western Conference and will face No.2 ranked Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of playoffs.
The Timberwolves, on the other hand, still has a chance for the 8th and last playoffs spot if they beat the winner of New Orleans Pelicans-Oklahoma City Thunder play-in match.
Meanwhile, Atlanta Hawks clinched the no. 7 seed in Eastern Conference playoffs after beating Miami Heat, 116-105, in their separate play-in game at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Trae Young led the way with 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Dejounte Murray added 18 markers for the Hawks, which will battle Boston Celtics in the first round playoffs.
Saddiq Bey came off-the-bench with 17 points, while Bogdan Bogdanovic and Onyeka Okongwu had 14 and 12 points, respectively, as Atlanta formalized their return to NBA playoffs.
The Heat, on the other hand, will still have a chance for the 8th and last playoffs spot if they beat the winner of Toronto Raptors-Chicago Bulls play-in game./PN
