(MIN/LAL) Game 1 - Results Inside - Postgame comments

Lakers at Minnesota
Game 1 (Round 1)
Sun April 20
(3:30 pm, ABC/R/RTV)
Recap - http://www.nba.com/games/20030420/LALMIN/recap.html
Box Score - http://www.nba.com/games/20030420/LALMIN/boxscore.html

Lakers - 117
Timberwolves - 98

Lakers Lead Series - 1-0

Lakers Take First Step
The Lakers took their first step toward a fourth straight championship on Sunday, routing the Wolves 117-98 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. Kobe Bryant went off for 39 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 32 for L.A., which will play in Minnesota again at 5:30 p.m. PT Tuesday (TNT).



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All players to be in double figres
Phil will surely want that so EVERYONE will get involved and get in shape as quickly as possible
Lakers will win and this will be a very important win 4 us because we will gain a lot of momentum and you all know what The Lakers do when they get momentum

I think this is the toughest game in the series - by far.

The Lakers should come out on top, but they really have to be wary of Troy Hudson in particular. Note to Derek Fisher - GO ABOVE SCREENS! If he goes above and stops dropping below, he can force Hudson and/or Szerbiak (SP? when he gets cleared by any picks or screens) to drive into the shot blockers. Just keep an eye on Hudson Derek, please! If he gets on a hot streak, it could be trouble for the Lakers.

Another guy to keep a tight lid on is AP (Anthony Peeler), he can ignite their offense as well. He may not defend very tenaciously but he has a sharp 3 point and long distance 2 shot that can pull defenders away from the hoop. Then Garnett can exploit the power forward spot.

On that note, I honestly don't think that Garnett will be any problem in this series. He can be contained by the power forward committee or by Shaq alone. Kobe should offset any points he scores in any of the games.

Once again, the true factor in this first round is Shaq. There is no way the tandem of Joe Smith and Nesterovic (or Garnett at times) can contain him. He should go off and have a monster series.

Game 1
Lakers - 105
T'Wolves - 98

The Lakers should come out on top, but they really have to be wary of Troy Hudson in particular.

Ah-men

Yes, it's going to be an extremly difficult & important game. We canot get down 0-1, or 0-2 to this team, we just can't... Let's do this Lakers...

first game in a series is always crucial
because it gives the winner momentum!!!!!!!
GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, but remember, this year you can truely say there are NO WEAK SISTERS in the West. And I just don't want to loose the 1st & or 2nd game to this team. It would be very bad...

yep yep
but if we go out there and play hungry
we will win for sure

Yes, and you know we see a Laker team in the playoffs, that come out and surprise people. See people arn't playing the Lakers anymore, their playing the 3-Time defending champs. The up-tempo'ed, tougher, more focused version of the Lakers, let's go people... Let's go...

"I'm looking forward to the [first] series because it's a new environment," said Kobe Bryant, who this season became the third Laker to average more than 30 points a game, joining Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. "I'm excited. My teammates are too. We can't wait to get up there and get started. Mentally, physically, we feel great."

Wow, good game by the Lakers. The Triangle O. was ran beautifully, great patience and everything...

Kobe played great, like a true leader. Made some great plays, not only scoring, but getting his teamates involved as well. Fisher really stepped up as I expected, Fox was really great to. Shaq passed well, and played well...

Main thing is, they were patient and ran the offsense slow, and to perfection. Min. was hitting their shots to, so it's not like the Lakers played really really well, because there was a point where both teams were shooting over 50% i believe and Lakers still had the lead. So now, adter watching this game, I wouldn't be surprised if we sweep this Min. team. I don't think we will crush them every game, but I don't think they have what it takes to win against this amazingly up-charged Laker team...

yeah kobe was PHENOMANAL
he passed great and shot great, he got the tempo MOVVVVVIN!!!!!!!!!
and dont get me started on those beeeeeeeeeautiful assists to SHAQ DADDY 4 DAH DUNK!!!!!!!!!!
and this is the 32nd time in shaq and kobes playoff careers that they both have 30 points + games!!!!!!!!!!!
and derek fisher!!!!!!!!! 5/6 treys! ARE YA KIDDING ME?
and fox george maddog, horry were also good........
OOOOOOy.........gotta say this dohh, that 3rd quarter slump when they got within 5 points freaked me out a little but then i was reminded by the terrific plays of the lakers, that the lakers have experience and can get whatever they desire!

Yes, we needed this win, and we got it.

I told yall we were saving it all for the playoffs, I told everyone that all season...

Now the real champion lakers are in town minnesota........
watch out!
We're fired up 4 dah ring!

Take this: Minnesota never lead in the entire game
We put them away since the opening tip
That'll tell you how serious and fired up we are to defend the 4th ring.......
We stayed focused throughout the whole game............
every time wolves tried to rally, we had an answer
like in the third
when they got within 4, lakers went on a 12-0 run, 8 of those points by oneal

Nice win, but the apathy we have seen from the Lakers started to return in the 3rd quarter. I was hoping the killer instinct would last the entire game, but it didn't. Still, the Wolves should already be doubting their chances to win a game, much less the series.

I almost forgot about how much more flexible the refs get with the physical play in the playoffs. The Lakers took advantage of it with both Shaq and Madsen early in the game.

Phil had some issues later in the game with Maddog, but I'm not sure why. Anyone get a beat on that?