The Minnesota Timberwolves knew that Rudy Gobert would make a big impact on defense when he joined the team over two years ago.
Gobert’s offensive numbers might not stand out, but one of his key strengths is setting screens for Anthony Edwards, helping to spark the Timberwolves’ offense.
The two players will have another chance to shine when the Timberwolves face the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Friday night in Minneapolis.
Minnesota is aiming for its fifth win in the last six games. Part of the team’s recent success comes from the growing connection between Gobert and Edwards, according to Timberwolves coach Chris Finch.
“It has really developed over Rudy’s time here,” Finch said. “(There is) trust both ways. Rudy has long been one of the screen setters. … Ant’s willingness now to take that 3 has been huge, and Ant’s willingness to look for Rudy at different levels of the floor, like in the pocket or at the rim, we’ve been able to complete a lot more of that.”
“At times, I think we haven’t used Rudy as a screener in pick-and-roll enough,” Finch added.
The Lakers also have areas they need to improve as they head north. They have lost seven of their last 10 games but are coming off a 107-98 win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.
Los Angeles might face an extra challenge on Friday, as LeBron James is reportedly unlikely to play because of foot soreness.
Earlier this week, James missed practice due to personal reasons.
“LeBron is not with the team right now,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “He’s out for personal reasons, excused absence.”
James, who will turn 40 years old on Dec. 30, is averaging 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 9.1 assists this season. His shooting from the field is at 49.5 percent, and from three-point range, he’s shooting 35.9 percent, both lower than last season.
His teammates know they will need to step up if James misses time.
“He’s going to come back, and he’s still going to be the same,” Lakers backup center Christian Koloko said. “He’s going to give everything on the court.”
“We’ve just got to do our part and just get better so that when he comes back, he can just look at us and be like, ‘Oh yeah, (they) were actually working,’ when he wasn’t there. But we know he’ll come back and just pick up everything. He’s been in the NBA for a long time.”
Anthony Davis leads the Lakers with 27.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. James is second in scoring, and Austin Reaves ranks third with 16.7 points per game.
Edwards is leading the Timberwolves with 26.4 points per game. Julius Randle is second with 20.4 points per game, and Naz Reid is averaging 12.7 points. This is the third of four matchups between the Timberwolves and Lakers this season.
Los Angeles won the first game 110-103 on Oct. 22 at home, with Davis scoring a team-high 36 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocks. Edwards led the Timberwolves with 27 points.
Minnesota evened things out in the second game with a 109-80 victory on Dec. 2 in Minneapolis. Five players scored in double digits for the Timberwolves, with Randle leading with 18 points. For Los Angeles, D’Angelo Russell scored 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including 4-for-5 from three-point range.
