First quarter: Lakers 21, Wolves 17

MINNEAPOLIS -- Kobe Bryant did not play again tonight and the Lakers sputtered again. They led a narrow lead, but their shooting touch was woeful. They made 8 of 22 shots (36.4 percent) in the opening quarter. Shannon Brown, rather than Sasha Vujacic, replaced Bryant in the starting lineup and scored a team-leading eight points. Pau Gasol had six points and five rebounds. The Timberwolves played without Al Jefferson, who was not with the team because he was attending to a family matter. The Lakers were looking for their third consecutive win over the Wolves this season and their 11th overall.