LOS ANGELES, April 8: Naz Reid hit six 3-pointers while scoring 31 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves capitalized on LeBron James’ absence and Anthony Davis’ early exit with an eye injury for a 127-117 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Anthony Edwards added 26 points for the Timberwolves, who moved even with Denver atop the Western Conference at 54-24 with their seventh win in nine games.
Minnesota didn’t waste its golden opportunity to beat the surging Lakers, who played most of the night without their two superstars.
James stayed home with flu-like symptoms, missing his 11th game of his 21st NBA season.
Davis then went to the locker room after getting hit in the face by Kyle Anderson while scoring a tip-in basket late in the first quarter. The nine-time All-Star didn’t return to the game, and Lakers coach Darvin Ham had no postgame update on his condition. Davis took another blow to his left eye, which already was injured from a hit taken last month in a game against Golden State.
Warriors beat Jazz
Klay Thompson found his offensive groove in a hurry, even on the toughest of shots with a defender in his face.
Thompson scored 32 points and the Golden State Warriors ran away from the undermanned Utah Jazz early on the way to a 118-110 victory Sunday night.
The Warriors clinched at least a spot in the four-team play-in tournament before the game when Houston lost 147-136 in overtime to Dallas.
From the opening tip, Thompson came out looking for his shot to handle the bulk of the scoring load on a night Stephen Curry was held out for rest and Chris Paul started in his place as the Warriors won for the seventh time in eight games. (AP)
