Lakers need better perimeter defense in light of size disparity

MINNEAPOLIS — After the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Lakers in Game 1 of their ongoing best-of-seven first-round series, Timberwolves wing Jaden McDaniels provided insight into how he scored a then playoff-tying career-high 25 points in Minnesota’s victory April 19.

“I just noticed at certain times when they had no rim protector in the game, when [Lakers starting center] Jaxson Hayes wasn’t on the court … if he’s not on the court, I’m basically the tallest person out there,” the 6-foot-9 McDaniels said at the time.