Lakers to lean on Luka Doncic in preparing for Timberwolves - ESPN

PORTLAND, Ore. — When the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Luka Doncic in February, little did coach JJ Redick know that his club was acquiring not just a superstar player but also a precious resource for his scouting department's playoff preparation.

Sunday, shortly after Redick and his players and coaching staff watched the LA Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors in overtime and, as a result, lock in the No. 3 seed Lakers' first-round opponent as the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves, the coach said he will tap into Doncic's experience against the Wolves last spring.

«There are nuances to what teams are trying to do against certain opponents,» Redick said when asked about the benefit of discussing the result of last year's Western Conference finals with Doncic to get the Lakers ready for Minnesota next weekend.

Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Wolves 4-1, with Doncic averaging 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2.2 steals to earn series MVP.

While what worked for Doncic's Mavs will be informative for Redick, so too will what didn't work for Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean, who was swept out of the first round of the playoffs last year by the Wolves while on staff with the Phoenix Suns.

«We have a lot of work,» Redick said. «They're a really good basketball team.»

Minnesota went 9-2 to close out the season and move up from No. 8 to No. 6 in the West, finishing with a 49-33 record, one fewer win than Los Angeles.

The Wolves finished with the No. 8 offense in the league, averaging 115.7 points per 100 possessions, and also had the No. 6 defensive rating, allowing 110.8 points per 100 possessions.

«It's a very difficult opponent,» Redick said. «They've played as well as anyone lately, and I believe