LeBron James, JJ Redick Praise Wolves' Physicality

Minnesota showed this physicality from the very first play and ultimately won that battle in Game 1.

When asked about the Timberwolves' physicality, LeBron James emphasized how the Lakers need to adjust to it.

“You know when you’re playing a Minnesota team, they’re going to be physical, that’s what they bring to the table,” James said after Game 1. “Maybe it took us one playoff game to now get a feel for it and know what the type of intensity, type of physicality that’s going to be brought to the game, but that’s just the way they play so we should be more than prepared for that on Tuesday night."

James scored 19 points on 8/18 shooting from the field and 1/5 from three during Los Angeles's Game 1 loss.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick did not sugarcoat his team's lack of intensity when asked about what went wrong.

“I’m not sure physically we were ready, if that makes sense,” he said. “When they start playing with a lot of thrust and physicality, we just didn’t respond immediately to that.”

Minnesota outscored Los Angeles 96-67 over the final three quarters.

When Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was asked about how he thought the team handled Game 1’s physicality and not getting many foul calls, he kept it straight to the point.

“We thought we did a pretty good job, to be honest with you," Finch said.

The Timberwolves had 10 free-throw attempts, while the Lakers shot 16 free throws. Minnesota was called for 21 fouls in comparison to Los Angeles’s nine fouls in Game 1.

Game 2 will tip off on Tuesday night at 10 p.m. ET in a near must-win home game for the Lakers.