In Game 3 of the Lakers' 116-104 loss to the Timberwolves in their opening-round Western Conference playoff series, it became clear--as if it were not already--that this series is lined up to be a grind for whomever wins.

When the Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their preseason in early October, it was against the Minnesota Timberwolves. When they started the regular season a few weeks later, their f