Lakers rally to avoid franchise-worst losing streak, defeat the Timberwolves, 119-115

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A determined Kobe Bryant pounds his chest after hitting a three-pointer against the Timberwolves late in the second quarter of a game at Staples Center on Feb. 2.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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akers fans including Flea, celebrate after Kobe Bryant hit a three-pointer late in the fourth quarter of a game against the Timberwolves. The Lakers won, 119-115.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns passes the ball behind his head as Lakers forward Julius Randle defends during the second half of the Lakers’ 119-115 victory on Feb. 2.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Julius Randle pulls down a rebound over Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine during the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 119-115 win over Minnesota on Feb. 2.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Kobe Bryant cheers on teammate Lou Williams during a break in the second quarter as the Lakers pulled ahead of the Timberwolves at Staples Center on Feb. 2.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Julius Randle battles Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns for a rebound during the second half of a game on Feb. 2 at Staples Center.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers center Roy Hibbert defends Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins during the first quarter of a game at Staples Center on Feb. 2.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Kobe Bryant yells out instructions to guard D’Angelo Russell as he is defended by Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins during a game at Staples Center on Feb. 2.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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D’Angelo Russell struggles to control the ball as Timberwolves defenders Gorgiu Dieng, left, and Andrew Wiggins pressure him during second half of a game on Feb. 2 at Staples Center.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Kobe Bryant and Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins share a laugh during a break in a Feb. 2 game at Staples Center.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers center Roy Hibbert controls the ball as Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio tries to steal it during first quarter of a game at Staples Center on Feb. 2.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Julius Randle tries to shoot over Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica during the first half of a game at Staples Center on Feb. 2.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

By Eric Pincus

Feb. 2, 2016 10:14 PM PT

The Lakers avoided setting a new franchise mark in futility on Tuesday night, ending a 10-game losing streak with a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center, 119-115.

While the Lakers have lost 10 straight before, never 11. When the Timberwolves took an early eight-point lead, the Lakers looked like a squad destined for another defeat.

Instead the team rallied, pushing ahead by as many as 16 points -- the makings of a comfortable win.

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Naturally, the script flipped, as it did on opening night when the Lakers lost a double-digit lead to the Timberwolves to start out the season with a disappointing loss.

Minnesota rallied, eventually taking a 102-101 lead with just over five minutes left -- but Kobe Bryant answered with back-to-back three-point shots to push the Lakers up again by five.

The team had to hold on over the final seconds, but the Lakers survived, avoiding the never-reached 11-game losing streak.

Bryant led all scorers with a season-high 38 points, hitting seven of 11 three-point attempts. Julius Randle reached a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, scoring a crucial turnaround jumper with a minute left to help secure the win.

Lou Williams added 20 points, D’Angelo Russell 18 and Jordan Clarkson 16.

The Lakers shot 50.0% from the field, 46.2% from three-point range (12-26) and 71.1% from the line (27-35). Minnesota hit 57.5%, 23.5% (4-17) and 76.0% (19-25), respectively.

The Timberwolves were led by Andrew Wiggins with 30 points. Ricky Rubio notched a double-double with 10 points and 15 assists.

Gorgui Dieng added 19 points, rookie Karl-Anthony Towns 14, Zach LaVine 14, and Shabazz Muhammad 12.

The Lakers (10-41) play next on Thursday, visiting the New Orleans Pelicans (18-29). The Wolves (14-36) play against at Staples Center on Wednesday against the Clippers (32-16).

Email Eric Pincus at Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus