Starting center Roy Hibbert had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
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Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves was Bryant’s first game since January when he suffered a season-ending torn rotator cuff.
When Scott looked around the locker room before the regular-season opener, he began to feel even more elderly.
Luckily, the Lakers went ice cold in the fourth, shooting only 4 for 23 throughout the quarter. While five games is admittedly an untrustworthy sample, Rubio looked like he was continuing to build upon his year-over-year improvement as a shooter.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (0-1): Bryant’s last three seasons have been shortened by injuries and his minutes will be closely watched by coach Byron Scott. That timing will come back. “I just felt good out there”.
Omri Casspi followed with another 3 after Jordan returned, and the Kings took their first lead of the night when Rudy Gay scored inside with just under 7 minutes left. He showed that his shot has indeed improved and that he can now hit shots off the dribble. He finished with 14 points on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting from the field. Martin missed a jumper before Williams missed at the buzzer. “It was a 3-footer and a shot I’d normally make”.
Speaking of questions, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to prove that their use of rookie D’Angelo Russell is sure to fulfill the 19-year old’s potential.
There’s also the matter of Russell’s teammates not converting a few of the assist opportunities he creates. “He played it and coached it. He loved it. The best way to honor him is to go play as hard as you can and play as a team and the rest will take care of itself”. Russell struggled to play off the ball, and now a change is already in the works. “I was trying to run the offense and be aggressive”. “I just adjusted from being the point guard and then playing off the ball is not foreign to me. It’s something I got to adjust”. Often times they were plays like Rubio curling off of screens, or Nemanja Bjelica behind the line awaiting the pass.
The second-year forward was quite aggressive looking for shot with most of attempts coming off-the-dribble on either drives to the basket or from mid-range in the first half.
“[Jordan Clarkson] is a great attack player”.
Cousins led the Kings with 32 points and 13 rebounds and even displayed his outside touch by knocking down four three-pointers, a new aspect to his game.
What was most impressive about Rubio’s performance last night was that he shot the ball extremely well. The Minnesota Timberwolves also beat the Lakers 112-111 at the Staples Center. His much anticipated return was met with cheers from the Lakers faithful.
Amir Johnson added 15 points and seven rebounds, and former Ohio State player Jared Sullinger had 12 points and seven rebounds for Boston.
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You can bet the Wolves will be searching for every win they can this season, and the drive behind them is more personal now.
