Is Game 2 a Must-Win for the Lakers? Insights & Analysis

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00:00Now, from a Lakers perspective, you can understand the slow start from LeBron James

00:03because Luka was so good in the first quarter, they had the lead.

00:05You just figured that LeBron would sort of catch up, and he did, but it was really out of whack.

00:10What has to change for the Lakers as opposed to just Luka and LeBron doing better and also coach?

00:15Now that we see the betting prices here, the Timberwolves are the favorite at minus 138.

00:19Is game number two a must win for the Lakers, and who do we need to see stepping up in the process?

00:25You have to start with LeBron James.

00:26I think he was too passive early, and then he couldn't get going, right?

00:31When he got going, it was a 25, 30-point game.

00:34He started getting going, guys, late in the third quarter.

00:36The game was already decided.

00:37So, to me, you've got to get him involved early, maybe put the ball in his hands a little bit.

00:41Even when Luka's on the floor, maybe go through him as almost the point forward and set up Austin Reed.

00:47You have to get good defense and better perimeter defense,

00:51obviously the way that Minnesota's able to shoot the ball from three.

00:55This is must win, and if you're the Lakers, like, I think the Lakers may win this by eight to ten points.

01:02They have to.

01:03They have to.

01:04Because if they win it close, I think Minnesota's going to go home saying,

01:09we got the split, we lost a close game, now we go on a run.

01:13If you get blown out in Minnesota after winning game one, maybe that puts a little bit more pressure on you into a game three.

01:21And it's must win for Lakers.

01:23And it's must win, and must win impressively, in my opinion.