2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West First Round: #3 LA Lakers vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves (Series tied 1-1)

[Mamba Mentality]

Do you Lakers fans realize how pathetic you look, when you complain that the refs aren’t making enough calls in YOUR favor?

Yikes. Take the win, but don’t be tools complaining that an unfair ref advantage you have over all other teams isn’t big enough.

Am I missing something? Wolves fans/Laker haters were the ones complaining about the officiating from the jump despite ending the game with the free throw advantage.

Try not to be so blatantly subjective next time...

[shrink]

Do you Lakers fans realize how pathetic you look, when you complain that the refs aren’t making enough calls in YOUR favor?

Yikes. Take the win, but don’t be tools complaining that an unfair ref advantage you have over all other teams isn’t big enough.

Am I missing something? Wolves fans/Laker haters were the ones complaining about the officiating from the jump despite ending the game with the free throw edge. Try not to be so blatantly subjective next time...

Right, it’s just this recent burst of biased Wolves fans and Laker-haters that have EVER noticed the vast disparity of fouls called against the Lakers .. certainly not anything that unbiased fans of the 28 other teams have mentioned over the years!

Clearly, you are the one who isn’t subjective, Mr. <person who chose to name himself “Mamba Mentality!”>! Please continue to lecture the 95% of NBA fans who watch the reffing and see the vast disparity in the Laker fouls stats for years - please tell us how we can become less “blatantly subjective” and unbiased as you!

[Bob8]

Do you Lakers fans realize how pathetic you look, when you complain that the refs aren’t making enough calls in YOUR favor?

Yikes. Take the win, but don’t be tools complaining that an unfair ref advantage you have over all other teams isn’t big enough.

Am I missing something? Wolves fans/Laker haters were the ones complaining about the officiating from the jump despite ending the game with the free throw edge. Try not to be so blatantly subjective next time...

Right, it’s just this recent burst of biased Wolves fans and Laker-haters that have EVER noticed the vast disparity of fouls called against the Lakers .. certainly not anything that unbiased fans of the 28 other teams have mentioned over the years!

Clearly, you are the one who isn’t subjective, person who named themself “Mamba Mentality.” Teach the 95% of NBA fans who look at the games and the stats for years how we can be as unbiased as you!

It's really hard to understand, what have conspiracy theories with last game? The only relevant question is, did Wolves lose last game, which they were losing by double digits most of the time, because of bad officiating?

[shrink]

Am I missing something? Wolves fans/Laker haters were the ones complaining about the officiating from the jump despite ending the game with the free throw edge. Try not to be so blatantly subjective next time...

Right, it’s just this recent burst of biased Wolves fans and Laker-haters that have EVER noticed the vast disparity of fouls called against the Lakers .. certainly not anything that unbiased fans of the 28 other teams have mentioned over the years!

Clearly, you are the one who isn’t subjective, person who named themself “Mamba Mentality.” Teach the 95% of NBA fans who look at the games and the stats for years how we can be as unbiased as you!

It's really hard to understand, what have conspiracy theories with last game? The only relevant question is, did Wolves lose last game, which they were losing by double digits most of the time, because of bad officiating?

Are you honestly calling people “conspiracy theorists” when you see the huge disparity in fouls called against the Lakers over the last ten years? It’s insulting.

Or are you ignoring years of history of this, and saying, “if you think it was this game, then you’re a conspiracy theorist?” That’s equally insulting and dismissive.

All the stats, over a long long period of time, disagree with you. The Laker fans who do this should accept it and move on, instead of name-calling people who tell you things you don’t want to hear.

[KyRo23]

DDV played 8 minutes in the first half. He hasn’t fouled out all year. Yet he’s a foul machine suddenly? Riiiiight.

Naz Reid played 8 minutes first half. He fouled out once all year. Suddenly he’s a foul machine too? Riiiiight.

It’s not the FTs. It’s the WHOLE FLOW OF THE GAME. Refs made it impossible for Wolves to get to get in any rhythm until it was too late.

I’ve literally never seen a call where the offensive player scores (Randle), is unable to land in the RESTRICTED area because a player is under his feet (Lebron), then the basket gets over turned even through the foul was after the bucket? WTF was that? LeBron is standing in the RESTRICTED AREA! And even if a foul is called the bucket should still have counted. So much wrong on that play alone.

Tell me the ones between Naz and DDV that weren’t fouls. They didn’t foul out this game either horrible point. They even took Naz’s 4th foul away and gave it to someone else.

Just because you’re in the restricted area doesn’t mean you can slap someone in the face. The restricted area is not an area where you can just do anything you want if the defender is standing there

So we call for rigging when LA gets calls. We call rigging for LA when Minny is in the bonus early in both quarters because even though LA isn’t getting all the calls, they do sometimes. So how does your opinion lose? It just can’t? Sound argument. I’m sure Laker fans will be extra annoying next thread for every Minnesota call, and it’ll be deserved

DDV and Reid both had to play 8 minutes in first half because they were on pace to FOUL OUT, something they had done once, combined, all year. The reach on Dante was BS. The moving screen on Naz was BS. Even the “elbow” on Donte was BS. Vando was moving and Donte DIDNT get him with an elbow. Donte owned the space he was in.

Bucket went in WELL before Randle’s phantom foul. Bucket shoukd’ve absolutely counted. And since we do we not allow players to land? Lebron was standing right under Randle’s feet. That was a huge BS call.

My points are factual. We’ll never know who wins in a well-reffed game 2 because it wasn’t well-reffed. We know 8 more minutes of PT for DDV and Naz can swing a game. We’ll never know what hey could’ve done with regular first half time. Refs made sure that wouldn’t happen. Period.

46 fouls in that game is too many. Way too many. That many fouls favors the Lakers style of play. Wolves can’t play regular NBA defense at that point.

That moving screen was not bs. Hayes got called for two of the same. And again you can’t say they fouled out once all year and they were going to foul out this game. They did not foul out. Your point would only make sense if you said those two guys were on pace to foul out once this year. Two totally different points.

It’s just an embarrassing take to blame this on the refs as it was unfairly pushed towards LA. The Luka trip? You’re saying the refs wanted LA to win but don’t even review a blatantly dirty play? Why would they skip that if they’re in favor of the Lakers?

It wasn’t well reffed for either team. If you’re saying a non well reffed game even for LA favors the Lakers I guess it’s impossible to prove that point. This thread turns into such garbage always bitching about the Lakers and it looks like it’ll stay that way. Enjoy the rest of the rigged series I guess!

[thinktank]

Free throw disparity isn’t the only way for the refs to impact a game.

Wolves bench killed last game.

This game they gave Naz and DDV 3 fouls in 8 minutes.

Lakers’ problem solved!

[facothomas22]

I would be quite surprised if the Timberwolves lost another game in this series. They shoot horribly from the field and still come within single digit of winning the game ,despite of being down as much as 20+ points. We really expect the Timberwolves to shoot 20% from the 3pt line and 38% from the field every game? Don't think so. I also don't see Luka have a 16 point quarter explosion every game. I also don't the Timberwolves getting outrebound again in the series. Change just one of these facts and last night would've been a Timberwolves win.

[Mamba Mentality]

Do you Lakers fans realize how pathetic you look, when you complain that the refs aren’t making enough calls in YOUR favor?

Yikes. Take the win, but don’t be tools complaining that an unfair ref advantage you have over all other teams isn’t big enough.

Am I missing something? Wolves fans/Laker haters were the ones complaining about the officiating from the jump despite ending the game with the free throw edge. Try not to be so blatantly subjective next time...

Right, it’s just this recent burst of biased Wolves fans and Laker-haters that have EVER noticed the vast disparity of fouls called against the Lakers .. certainly not anything that unbiased fans of the 28 other teams have mentioned over the years!

Clearly, you are the one who isn’t subjective, Mr. <person who chose to name himself “Mamba Mentality!”>! Please continue to lecture the 95% of NBA fans who watch the reffing and see the vast disparity in the Laker fouls stats for years - please tell us how we can become less “blatantly subjective” and unbiased as you!

any person who has to take a shot at my username to build their argument gets an automatic L, take your biased agenda elsewhere

[thinktank]

OKC wins top seed but Lakers get more rest between games.

It’s **** like that that shows you NBA is rigged.

[dakomish23]

Not sure if it was mentioned on the broadcast or if anybody did it on social media, but does anyone have the shooting splits for Luka pre and post that Gobert steal. It really seemed to take him out of the game b/c he was pissed there wasn’t a foul call. He was cooking before that. Only thing I found was 1st half 6-10 2nd half 3-10. For LAL to win the series and make a WCF he’s got to be dialed in the whole time

It was not about steal. Luka just plays at the best, when games are close or is playing in hostile environment. He plays worse against bad opponents too.

Even all the post game pods said he was too preoccupied with trying to highlight show Gobert. He took himself and the Lakers out of rhythm. This has nothing to do with close
B/c he was bricking up a storm when it MIN got it under double digits.

[KyRo23]

OKC wins top seed but Lakers get more rest between games.

It’s **** like that that shows you NBA is rigged.

You’re losing it. You know like 8 teams had two days rest between game one and 2 right? Not just the Lakers

Here’s what I got so far just so we can keep track:

-Lakers win and it’s rigged for the Lakers
-Lakers lose and it’s rigged for the Lakers, Minny just overcame the rigging
-Lakers shoot less FTs but it’s still rigged for the Lakers because it can be effected in other ways
-Our players don’t foul out all year, they didn’t this game but they might have!
-Lakers didn’t get the benefit of the whistle, but they have in the past. Rigged still
-Lakers get two days off and it’s rigged for the Lakers even though 8 other teams got the same rest

I forgot how annoying playoff time gets. People lose all sense of logic I swear

[Mamba Mentality]

OKC wins top seed but Lakers get more rest between games.

It’s **** like that that shows you NBA is rigged.

Buddy your team is also getting more rest.

You exhaust one complaint and then pivot to the next, is that your thing?

[Bob8]

Not sure if it was mentioned on the broadcast or if anybody did it on social media, but does anyone have the shooting splits for Luka pre and post that Gobert steal. It really seemed to take him out of the game b/c he was pissed there wasn’t a foul call. He was cooking before that. Only thing I found was 1st half 6-10 2nd half 3-10. For LAL to win the series and make a WCF he’s got to be dialed in the whole time

It was not about steal. Luka just plays at the best, when games are close or is playing in hostile environment. He plays worse against bad opponents too.

Even all the post game pods said he was too preoccupied with trying to highlight show Gobert. He took himself and the Lakers out of rhythm. This has nothing to do with close
B/c he was bricking up a storm when it MIN got it under double digits.

I believe we're a bit exaggerating Wolves comeback, it was 16 points at the start of Q4, and a steal was if I remember right in Q2.

[thinktank]

OKC wins top seed but Lakers get more rest between games.

It’s **** like that that shows you NBA is rigged.

Buddy your team is also getting more rest.

You exhaust one complaint and then pivot to the next, is that your thing?

Buddy, your team is old and fat and playing more minutes.

Duuuuuhhhhh.

[ball_takes23]

Biggest takeaway from the first two games is that neither of these teams can compete with okc. They better hope that Kawhi stays healthy and takes them out cause that’s their only chance

[Mamba Mentality]

OKC wins top seed but Lakers get more rest between games.

It’s **** like that that shows you NBA is rigged.

Buddy your team is also getting more rest.

You exhaust one complaint and then pivot to the next, is that your thing?

Buddy, your team is old and fat and playing more minutes.

Duuuuuhhhhh.

man you're having a rough morning, I cant imagine the crash out if we win this series

[Andri]

OKC wins top seed but Lakers get more rest between games.

It’s **** like that that shows you NBA is rigged.

You’re losing it. You know like 8 teams had two days rest between game one and 2 right? Not just the Lakers

Here’s what I got so far just so we can keep track:

-Lakers win and it’s rigged for the Lakers
-Lakers lose and it’s rigged for the Lakers, Minny just overcame the rigging
-Lakers shoot less FTs but it’s still rigged for the Lakers because it can be effected in other ways
-Our players don’t foul out all year, they didn’t this game but they might have!
-Lakers didn’t get the benefit of the whistle, but they have in the past. Rigged still
-Lakers get two days off and it’s rigged for the Lakers even though 8 other teams got the same rest

I forgot how annoying playoff time gets. People lose all sense of logic I swear

His team wins G1. Poster proceeds to get cocky. His team loses G2. Poster proceeds to blame any external factor that allows him to keep thinking he is still right at the core. G3, rinse and repeat.

PO's, where the fun happens!

[KyRo23]

Biggest takeaway from the first two games is that neither of these teams can compete with okc. They better hope that Kawhi stays healthy and takes them out cause that’s their only chance

I agree. That OKC team looks like they have no shot of losing in the west. Well oiled machine right now

[Bob8]

Right, it’s just this recent burst of biased Wolves fans and Laker-haters that have EVER noticed the vast disparity of fouls called against the Lakers .. certainly not anything that unbiased fans of the 28 other teams have mentioned over the years!

Clearly, you are the one who isn’t subjective, person who named themself “Mamba Mentality.” Teach the 95% of NBA fans who look at the games and the stats for years how we can be as unbiased as you!

It's really hard to understand, what have conspiracy theories with last game? The only relevant question is, did Wolves lose last game, which they were losing by double digits most of the time, because of bad officiating?

Are you honestly calling people “conspiracy theorists” when you see the huge disparity in fouls called against the Lakers over the last ten years? It’s insulting.

Or are you ignoring years of history of this, and saying, “if you think it was this game, then you’re a conspiracy theorist?” That’s equally insulting and dismissive.

All the stats, over a long long period of time, disagree with you. The Laker fans who do this should accept it and move on, instead of name-calling people who tell you things you don’t want to hear.

I'm not calling anyone anything, I'm just not interested in those theories.

What is history doing in this game 2 thread?

If you want my 2 cents about those theories. I believe big clubs in every sports are officiated a little more friendly, not just Lakers. Do you believe Barca and Real are officiated the same as some smaller Spanish clubs? So I can believe that Lakers were officiated better than Wolves in their history. Not in this series though.

[dakomish23]

It was not about steal. Luka just plays at the best, when games are close or is playing in hostile environment. He plays worse against bad opponents too.

Even all the post game pods said he was too preoccupied with trying to highlight show Gobert. He took himself and the Lakers out of rhythm. This has nothing to do with close
B/c he was bricking up a storm when it MIN got it under double digits.

I believe we're a bit exaggerating Wolves comeback, it was 16 points at the start of Q4, and a steal was if I remember right in Q2.

My focus wasn't about the steal but about his desperation to just show up Gobert. I get it, it's guaranteed highlight material. But I think he lost focus after that. And it wasn't just me who felt that way. Simmons / Lowe mentioned it. THC mentioned it. He spent all his time trying to hunt Gobert - who BTW held LAL to 5-17.