Needed Lakers adjustment that could save the series vs. Timberwolves

Game 3 was so close to being the much-needed road win where the Los Angeles Lakers stole back the homecourt advantage from the Minnesota Timberwolves. A series of unfortunate events would prevent them from ultimately accomplishing that goal.

The Lakers kept it close throughout the majority of the night. The two sides took turns with small single digit leads before arriving to the stretch run of the fourth quarter nodded at 103-103. The Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 13-1.

There were numerous elements of this game that proved troublesome for the winning cause. The stomach bug ailing Luka Doncic did the team no favors. The lack of scoring depth outside the top three hurt as well. Losing the turnover battle to Minnesota was far from ideal too.

The Lakers may have been able to overcome all of that had it not been for one other crucial factor. Anthony Edwards was that factor. The Lakers must figure out a way to slow down the Timberwolves superstar to keep their hopes of winning the series alive.

Fixing the lackluster defensive coverage from Game 3

Edwards finished the night against the Lakers with 29 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block. It was an impressive night from one of the NBA's brightest young superstars.

When the Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 30-20 in the fourth quarter, Edwards played a big role. The superb athlete scored seven points and added two assists to lead his team alongside Jaden McDaniels to the securing the victory.

There is never a perfect answer to slowing down someone as talented as Edwards. JJ Redick is far more qualified than most to try and find the best solution. However, there were certain things the Lakers were doing that just did not make a ton of sense.

Los Angeles allowed Edwards to get the switches he wanted a little too often in this game. In particular, an ailing and sluggish Doncic was forced into the matchup a handful more times than what would have been ideal.

Jason Timpf took his best crack at offering a fix to the Lakers' problem on his reaction episode to Game 3 on Hoops Tonight.

" I think that the Lakers are going to have to start considering double-teaming him," Timpf said. "Specifically, picking him up earlier in the possession, out towards half-court. ... I think the Lakers are going to have to consider doing that if Ant continues to find that kind of groove in the fourth quarter."

The podcast host did make it clear that this strategy is not one that should be brought out as early as the first quarter. However, Timpf did say it should be implemented sooner than the late stages of a game that is already slipping away.

In the Lakers' lone win of the series thus far, one of the defensive strategies they found a lot of success with was forcing the Timberwolves to read and react much quicker than they would have liked to. Making adjustments to that scheme while applying that same type of considerable pressure would serve LeBron James and company well in what has now become a necessary win in Game 4.