Minneapolis, May 25: Lakers stun Timberwolves with 97-88 win to take 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven NBA Western Conference playoff. Shaquille O'Neal posted a game high of 27 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 97-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday (May 21) in the opener of their best-of-seven Western Conference finals. Kobe Bryant added 23 points and six assists for the Lakers at the Minneapolis Target Center, making it their fifth straight win. The second-seeded Lakers are appearing in the conference finals for the fourth time in five years. Latrell Sprewell netted 23 points and Kevin Garnett posted 16 points and 10 boards for the Timberwolves, who are appearing in the conference finals for the first time in franchise history. The game was deadlocked at 67-67, but the Lakers ended the final three minutes of the third quarter with 11 straight points to take the first double-digit margin of the game and they led the rest of the way. Derek Fisher capped off the run on a jumper with 2.1 seconds left to put LA ahead 78-67.
The Lakers won the turnover margin 15-8. Minnesota, eliminated by the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs last season, were looking to even the series in game two on Sunday (May 23).

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