Aldridge, Mills shine in Spurs’ 109-87 win over Lakers

In November last season LaVine scored 28 points in a one-point victory in Los Angeles and found himself being guarded by Bryant in the fourth quarter.

Before the game, the Wolves played a video tribute to Bryant that lasted roughly a minute, after which the Target Center crowd ― which featured just as much Lakers apparel as Timberwolves gear, if not more ― rose for a standing ovation as Bryant raised his arms in appreciation.

It’s an approach Kevin Garnett has already been taking with his Timberwolves.

“We’ll see what the fans and the coaches decide, and then we’ll go from there”, Silver said via the LA Times.

“I thought both of them came out with great energy and they were very good on making sure we kept our spacing offensively, didn’t try to do too much”, Scott said. Towns made 11 of 19 shots and tied a career high for rebounds.

Four additional Lakers scored in double figures, including guard Lou Williams (15 points) and rookie guard D’Angelo Russell (12).

Flying in and out of the rotation lately, Nick Young received 29 minutes off the bench and finished off the game, adding 13 points on 5 of 9 shooting. In his retirement announcement, Bryant said he was ready to let go.

Russell, who was taken No. 2 after Towns in June’s National Basketball Association draft, came off the bench and had a team-high 23 points after only scoring two in the first half.

“He had one of those All-Pro type games”, Lakers Coach Byron Scott said. “He probably would have made it”.

Minneapolis has always had a special affection for Bryant and the Lakers. This is where the franchise got its start before moving to Los Angeles and many fans here have clung to that kinship as a coping mechanism through the struggles the Timberwolves have endured. Guard Marcus Thornton paced the reserves with 18 points as Houston (12-12) totaled 55 bench points and won for the seventh time in nine games to lift its record back to.500. With stars like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili nearing the end of their careers, they have gotten young blood with the combination of Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge who have been excellent this season.

Silver is right to point out Bryant’s impact internationally. Patty Mills led that charge as he nailed back-to-back three’s.

Blast Off James Harden showed the Lakers (3-21) why he’s the league’s second-leading scorer by unleashing a 30-point performance in 32 minutes on an 11-of-21 clip.

Randle and Russell finished the Lakers’ matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves posting a combined 43 points, including the game-tying basket by Russell to send it into overtime.

Jazz 106, Knicks 85: Gordon Hayward scored 24 points and Utah bullied NY from start to finish.