Lakers snap five-game losing skid with 106-98 victory over Timberwolves

The Lakers stopped a five-game skid with a 106-98 victory over the depleted Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

Ryan Kelly led the Lakers with 21 points, making five of six three-point shots. Rookie Jabari Brown added 20 points and had a career-high seven assists.

Fellow first-year players Tarik Black (career-high 18 points, 10 rebounds) and Jordan Clarkson (18 points, nine assists) also had big games. Wesley Johnson finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Kelly added seven assists, the Lakers dishing 35 on 41 made baskets.

Andrew Wiggins, likely the NBA’s rookie of the year, was a force for the Timberwolves, scoring 29 points to go along with 10 rebounds and six assists. In addition to a serious dunk on just about the entire Lakers’ squad in the fourth, Wiggins hit 15 of 16 free throws.

Minnesota also got 18 points from Zach LaVine, 14 from Adreian Payne and 10 from Lorenzo Brown. The Timberwolves shot 43.2% from the field and 20% from three-point range (3 of 15) as well as 91.2% from the free-throw line (91.2%).

The Lakers shot 49.4%, 39.1% (9 of 23) and 62.5% (15 of 24), respectively.

The Wolves’ 32 field goals came on 17 assists and they had 12 turnovers. The Lakers had 14 miscues.

Minnesota sat a long list of players, including Ricky Rubio (ankle), Gorgui Dieng (facial contusion), Shabazz Muhammad (finger), Nikola Pekovic (ankle), Gary Neal (ankle), Anthony Bennett (ankle) and Kevin Garnett (knee).

The Lakers were without their share of players -- Jeremy Lin (knee), Wayne Ellington (shoulder), Nick Young (knee), Ronnie Price (elbow), Kobe Bryant (shoulder) and Julius Randle (knee) were all absent.

With the win, the Lakers improve to 21-58. They’ll next host the Dallas Mavericks (48-31) on Sunday at Staples Center. The Timberwolves (16-63) travel to play the Golden State Warriors (64-15) on Saturday.

Lakers 80, Timberwolves 71 (end of third quarter)

The Lakers jumped on Minnesota in the third quarter, pulling ahead by 18 points after a Jordan Clarkson dunk, but the Timberwolves were able to trim the gap to nine heading into the fourth quarter.

Ryan Kelly hit his first five three-point attempts and has 19 points to lead the Lakers. Clarkson has 16 points and seven assists.

Jabari Brown and Tarik Black both scored 12 for the Lakers. Brown has a career-high seven assists.

Andrew Wiggins is the game’s leading scorer with 21 points. Adreian Payne is the only other Minnesota player in double figures with 11.

Lakers 52, Timberwolves 47 (halftime)

Turnovers and missed shots hurt the Lakers in the second quarter and helped Minnesota tie the score at 43 with just more than 4 1/2 minutes left until halftime.

The Lakers had pulled back ahead by five before the intermission, thanks in part to Jabari Brown, who has 12 points and a career-high five assists.

Jordan Clarkson added 11 points and Ryan Kelly 10 for the Lakers, who are shooting 55.3% from the field and 4 of 10 from three-point range.

Minnesota has been led by rookie Andrew Wiggins’ 12 points. Robbie Hummel gave his team seven points off the bench.

The Wolves are shooting 43.2% from the field and 1 of 5 behind the arc. They also made all 14 of their free throws while the Lakers converted six of 10.

Minnesota has eight turnover but commited only three in the second quarter. The Lakers have seven miscues, with five coming in the second quarter.

Lakers 30, Timberwolves 21 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers opened the game well against the Timberwolves, shooting 61.9% from the field in the first quarter to take a nine-point lead.

Jordan Clarkson made all four of his shots for nine points to lead all scorers. Ryan Kelly added eight points and Tarik Black seven.

Minnesota shot 45% from the field and have been led by Zach LaVine with six points. Robbie Hummel scored five off the bench for the Timberwolves.

The Lakers turned the ball over just twice. Minnesota has five miscues.

Pregame

The Lakers (20-58) host the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves (16-62) on Friday at Staples Center.

Jeremy Lin is out with a knee injury. Wayne Ellington (shoulder), Nick Young (knee), Ronnie Price (elbow), Kobe Bryant (shoulder) and Julius Randle (knee) are all done for the season.

The Timberwolves will play without Ricky Rubio (ankle), Gorgui Dieng (facial bruise), Shabazz Muhammad (finger), Nikola Pekovic (ankle), Gary Neal (ankle) and Anthony Bennett (ankle), while Kevin Garnett (knee) is doubtful.

For an in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves.

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.