Bill Plaschke: Lakers' bold first step into the playoffs is a staggering stumble
LOS ANGELES — LeBron James doubled over in exhaustion. Anthony Davis twisted around in pain. Darvin Ham stared blankly in disbelief.
It shouldn't have been this hard. It shouldn't have been this taxing. This should have been a two-foot putt. This should have been a gimme.
The Lakers' play-in game Tuesday night against the decimated and distracted Minnesota Timberwolves should have been a bold first step into a bright postseason.
It was, instead, a staggered stumble into the great unknown, a night requiring extra time, exhausting effort, and the overcoming of one massive mistake.
It was one long grind and, man, it was hideous.
The Lakers won,
