MINNEAPOLIS – Julius Randle scored 18 points and Rudy Gobert 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Los Angeles Lakers 109-80 on Monday night.

Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each scored 15 for the Wolves (10-10), who held the Lakers to their lowest point total since a 122-73 loss at Dallas in 2017, according to Sportradar.

Anthony Edwards only collected eight points on 3-for-13 shooting for the Wolves, but his Olympic teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis were just as discreet for the Lakers (12-9).

James, who missed 19 consecutive 3-pointers, had 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting. Davis had 12 points and 11 rebounds. D’Angelo Russell scored 20 after returning from illness and into the starting lineup.

After beating Utah 105-104 on Sunday, the Lakers traveled another time zone east to face a team they beat 110-103 in the season opener behind 36 points and 16 rebounds from Davis .

Takeaways

Lakers: Rookie coach JJ Redick rated his team a quarter of the way through the season as “uneven and inconsistent.” The Lakers’ fifth loss in their last seven games didn’t even clear that mark.

Timberwolves: With the defense locked down, Minnesota’s other priorities are reviving its transition game and 3-point shooting. Both boxes have been checked. The Timberwolves went 15 for 35 from deep and had 20 fast break points.

Key moment

Gobert, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, was very disruptive against Davis and the Lakers. Gobert stole an inbounds pass from Max Christie for a rare quick dunk late in the third.

Key statistic

The Wolves held their opponent under 100 points for the second straight game and fourth this season. In 2023-24, while leading the league in defensive scoring, they held opponents to double figures 23 times.

To be continued

The Lakers play at the Miami Heat on Wednesday, when the Wolves visit the Los Angeles Clippers.

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APNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA