The Minnesota Timberwolves eased past the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night in their summer-league debut, thanks to a strong finish.
The Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 25-12 in the fourth quarter at Las Vegas' Thomas and Mack Center. Minnesota was led on the night by guard Zach LaVine's 24 points.
The Timberwolves had five players score in double figures, all told, including guard Lorenzo Brown (17 points), forward Othyus Jeffers (14), big man Karl-Anthony Towns (12) and power forward Adreian Payne (10). Towns, the No. 1 overall pick in last month's NBA Draft, added three rebounds.
"In the beginning, I was very nervous. I can't lie. A lot of butterflies," Towns told NBA TV afterward. "As the game went along, I got more confident.
"I had a lot of fun," Towns added, "and, the best thing is we came away with a 'W.'"
Minnesota shot 76.9 percent (20 for 26) from the free-throw line against Los Angeles, which was led by guard Jordan Clarkson's 23 points.
Starting five: Minnesota's starting group consisted of Jeffers, Payne and Towns in the frontcourt and LaVine and Brown in the backcourt.
The other No. 1: Tyus Jones, the No. 24 overall pick in this year's draft, played just over 16 minutes. His debut was forgettable: 0 for 4 from the field (including one 3), two rebounds, one steal, three turnovers and three fouls.
Foul frenzy: In the summer league, players can record up to 10 fouls (compared to six in regular NBA games). Towns compliled nine fouls and Payne eight. The Lakers' Tarik Black used all 10 fouls allotted.
Stat corner: LaVine made 4 of 8 3-pointers; the rest of the Wolves were 1 of 6 . . . Minnesota had 30 fouls and Los Angeles a whopping 38 . . . Payne led the Wolves in rebounds with nine and Towns had a team-high four assists . . . Towns played 31:51, second only to LaVine, who was on the floor for 32:44.
Next: The Timberwolves return to summer-league action at 5:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, against the Chicago Bulls.
