It was all about making amends tonight for the Los Angeles Lakers. After their appalling Game 1 performance, the Purple and Gold bounced back in sizzling fashion. They outplayed the Timberwolves for most of the night. The key to their success was obviously making the required corrections. But more importantly, LeBron James and his teammates managed to put the embarrassment from Game 1 behind them.

The postseason doesn’t offer luxuries like the regular season. If a loss shakes you, the opponent has a far greater hold on the series. The Lakers’ Game 1 performance did affect the morale of the team. “It doesn’t matter if you lose by 100 or you lose by 1. I mean they both hurt, you can’t sleep,” the Akron Hammer revealed.

It’s these times that test the fabric of a team. The Lakers lost a vital home game. Still, because of the experience, LeBron James asked his teammates to remain “even keel”.

“So it’s about how you stay even keel and how you make the adjustments going into Game 2 or Game 3 whatever the case may be. We looked at what we didn’t do so well which was a lot of things in Game 1. We took that to heart. We held each other accountable, made the adjustments and we had a better outing tonight. Now we need to be even better on Friday going into Minnesota. That’s what the playoffs is all about,” he said about the Lakers’ mentality.

It led to a clinical performance tonight. For more than 30 minutes, the Lakers held a double-digit advantage, even leading by 22 at one point. Luka Doncic supplied the Lakers with another masterclass, compiling 31 points and 9 assists in the 85-94 win. James had a quiet yet effective game, recording a 21-point double-double.

But more than a coordinated offense, the Lakers made vast improvements on the other side of the floor. The core reason behind it was transforming from their Game 1 debacle.

The transcending change that won the game for the Lakers

In the first game, the Minnesota Timberwolves posted 117 points. But much of their offense came through easy transitions. They generated 25 points through fast breaks. That opened up the floor for the Wolves. They shot 50% from beyond the arc, succumbing the Lakers with a highly efficient offensive performance.

So Redick and his coaching staff knew they had to put an end to giving up easy looks. They had to make them work for every point. That’s how they proceeded to limit the Timberwolves. Tonight, the Lakers only allowed the Wolves to score six points through fast breaks. Barring the helpless opportunities, LeBron James clarified the drastic change was a result of pure effort.

“Sprint the hell back. You know giving up fast break points obviously, sometimes there’s nothing you can do about it. If a long rebound happens you got 4 guys on the baseline they are able to sprint back and get it. But most of the time with fast break points its about energy and effort and I thought our attention to detail and our attention to the effort on that side of the floor we was very in tune with that,” the Akron Hammer clarified.

With an emphasis on hustle, the Lakers’ defense remained well-planted in Game 2. The Timberwolves shot just 38% from the floor. Only Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle scored in double digits for the night. Likewise, with the adjustment made, the Lakers managed to even the series.

But a bigger test is on their tail. The Timberwolves are bound to make adjustments. Additionally, the game now shifts to their home court. Battling the road atmosphere will take great mental fortitude. The Lakers’ vast experience will be of huge help. But there’s still the need to execute. If they can remain vigilant and hungry like tonight, maybe the Lakers can grab a road win as well.