Regardless of style LA Lakers Minnesota Timberwolves know Game 3 is critical

MINNESOTA – If you ask Los Angeles Lakers coach J.J. Redick, no two National Basketball Association (NBA) play-off games are the same.

One might be a low-scoring, physical affair. The next might be a shoot-out.

It is anybody’s guess how the pace will unfold when the Lakers tip off against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 25 (April 26, Singapore time) in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round series.

The teams split the first two games in Los Angeles and will play the next two in Minneapolis.

After the Timberwolves won 117-95 in Game 1, the Lakers bounced back for a 94-85 victory in Game 2. Minnesota’s 85 points marked their lowest output of the season.

“I’ve seen enough of these and been in enough of these that you can have these low-scoring games and low-offensive output games that are very physical,” Redick said.

“And then all of a sudden, somebody starts making threes, there’s a few turnovers that leads to a high-transition half and somebody scores 120.

“That’s just kind of how basketball works. Every game is a little different. But I think the mentality from both teams is to have a rock fight.”

Luka Doncic leads the Lakers with 34 points per game so far in the series. He is shooting 50 per cent overall and 38.9 per cent from three-point range. LeBron James is averaging 20 points.

For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards is key with 23.5 points per game. He is shooting 40.9 per cent overall and 35.3 per cent from deep.

Minnesota coach Chris Finch conducted a film session with his players after Game 2. He told the team to focus on the next game and embrace playing on their home court.

“We just told the guys, our performances in LA and the results out there,