Ariza figures out some of angles with 15 points

MINNEAPOLIS -- You almost have to feel bad for Trevor Ariza.

The newest Laker has been told to quickly digest the complex triangle offense, which once took a whopping 320 pages for Tex Winter to examine in a book.

Ariza compiled his most significant stats with the Lakers since being acquired two weeks ago from Orlando, totaling 15 points, five rebounds and four assists in 27 minutes Tuesday against Minnesota.

After entering the game early in the second quarter, he blew through the Timberwolves’ defense for a layup and logged three assists in the quarter, feeding Sasha Vujacic for a three-point basket, hitting Vladimir Radmanovic for an easy layup and finding Luke Walton for a 21-footer from the right side.

Ariza’s sense of relief was almost palpable after he had scored only six points in three games with the Lakers before Tuesday.

“I’m not 100% comfortable, but I’m getting more comfortable,” he said. “I’m trying to learn that all in not much time. I’m trying to cram all that in in two weeks.”

Chris Mihm had perhaps his most notable effort since sustaining a sprained right ankle in a March 2006 game that led to two surgeries.

With Andrew Bynum, Kwame Brown and Ronny Turiaf out because of various health reasons, Mihm had 11 points and seven rebounds as the Lakers’ only center against Minnesota.

He sat out Monday’s practice because of soreness in the ankle, but he looked healthy Tuesday. On one play, he extended for an alley-oop layup after Kobe Bryant lobbed the ball to him. He was fouled on the play and made the free throw.

“I felt like I had some pop back in my step,” he said. “I was able to move. It makes all the difference in the world. It’s been frustrating for me out there when I know what I want to do and it hasn’t happened at times.”

Mihm had been averaging 3.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 11.5 minutes. He played the first 16 minutes Tuesday before getting a rest. He played a total of 33 minutes.

Timberwolves Coach Randy Wittman was not at Tuesday’s game because he had back surgery scheduled for today. He was replaced on the sideline by assistant coach Jerry Sichting.

TONIGHT

at Denver, 6 PST, Ch. 9, ESPN

Site -- Pepsi Center.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 10-8, Nuggets 11-7.

Record vs. Nuggets -- 1-0.

Update -- The Lakers defeated Denver last week, 127-99. Kobe Bryant had 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists, and Sasha Vujacic had a career-high 22 points as the Lakers’ reserves outscored those of the Nuggets, 63-37.

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com