GAME 2 REPORT

FIRST QUARTER

LAKERS 23 MINNESOTA 28

Highlight reel: Go, go Gophers, watch ‘em go, go, go.... Actually, that was Timberwolf Troy Hudson running amok (and unguarded) in the first quarter, giving the Timberwolves a spark they sorely lacked in Game 1. Hudson’s energetic play in scoring 11 points indicated the Timberwolves were not willing to roll over for the Lakers. Unlike Sunday, Minnesota’s players looked as if they believed they could win Game 2.

Not in the box score: There’s still no one in a Minnesota uniform capable of dealing with Shaquille O’Neal. Luckily for the Timberwolves, O’Neal looked flat at the start and not without good reason. He left the team to attend his grandfather’s wake in South Carolina and returned by a private jet Tuesday afternoon.

Winning numbers: The Timberwolves’ 10-2 run to start.

Wrong number: Minnesota Coach Flip Saunders’ momentum-killing timeout with 5:32 to go.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- O’Neal, Kobe Bryant 9; Timberwolves -- Hudson 11, Kevin Garnett 10.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 3; Timberwolves -- Garnett 7.

*

SECOND QUARTER

LAKERS 43 MINNESOTA 57

Highlight reel: Anthony Peeler, guarding Bryant, swiped the ball near the end of the quarter and scored an easy layup. On the other end, Bryant palmed the ball with 6.5 seconds remaining. Saunders signaled (smartly) for a 20-second timeout, setting up a play for Hudson to swish a three-pointer at the buzzer. That helped the Timberwolves close the quarter with an 18-5 run over the final five minutes. The Lakers had moved within 39-38 after O’Neal’s short jumper.

Not in the box score: An answer for Hudson, who was muted in Game 1. Derek Fisher doesn’t seem capable of staying with Hudson. Difficult to imagine Hudson dealing it out as he did in the first half for the rest of the series, but Fisher had trouble last spring staying with Tony Parker, Mike Bibby and Jason Kidd.

Winning number: The Timberwolves’ 22-for-33 shooting.

Wrong number: The Lakers’ 17-for-44 shooting.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- Bryant 6, Timberwolves -- Garnett, Hudson 8.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 3; Timberwolves -- Garnett 3.

*

THIRD QUARTER

LAKERS 67 MINNESOTA 88

Highlight reel: Say good night, Lakers. They were as weak in Game 2 as they were strong in Game 1. Hudson shredded the Laker defense, torching them with perimeter jump shots, including a three-pointer that extended Minnesota’s lead to 70-47 and capped a 13-4 run to start the second half.

Not in the box score: The Timberwolves’ defense was tighter than in Game 1, when they were passive instead of active. The Lakers picked them apart Sunday, but with Timberwolves in their faces Tuesday, they looked ill at ease. There was no flow. The triangle offense looked like a bent hanger, with even O’Neal looking out of sync. The Timberwolves’ confidence soared simply because their defense was so superb.

Winning number: Hudson’s eight-for-14 shooting through three quarters.

Wrong number: The Lakers’ 67 points were one more than they had in the first half Sunday.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- O’Neal 6; Timberwolves -- Hudson 9.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 3; Timberwolves -- Garnett 7.

*

FOURTH QUARTER

LAKERS 91 MINNESOTA 119

Highlight reel: Sorry, Kobe, but those chants of “MVP, MVP,” weren’t intended for you. They were for Garnett, on his way to his career playoff-best of 35 points. The biggest of them was perhaps a short hook shot after the Lakers had chipped away at the Timberwolf lead, drawing within 96-83 with 5:23 to play. So, it is back to Staples for Games 3 and 4 and, perhaps, a better sense of where the Lakers stand in their run toward a fourth title. Maybe they need to find a Hudson-stopper.

Not in the box score: Much of anything from Robert Horry, who scored six points on three-for-eight shooting. Springtime is his time, but he couldn’t hit water if he fell from a boat in the first two games. His shot, so certain in the playoffs last season, seemed off-kilter Sunday and Tuesday.

Winning number: Minnesota’s 31-point quarter and 55.6% shooting for the game.

Wrong number: For the Lakers, Hudson’s nine-for-16 shooting and 15 of 16 from foul line.

Leading scorers: Lakers -- O’Neal 9, Bryant 8; Timberwolves -- Garnett 10, Hudson 9.

Leading rebounders: Lakers -- O’Neal 5; Timberwolves -- Marc Jackson 6, Garnett 3.