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Lakers vs. Timberwolves in-game report

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The Lakers gave former assistant coach, and current Minnesota coach, Kurt Rambis his championship ring during a pregame ceremony.

Then the Lakers went out and dominated Rambis’ Timberwolves, 104-92, Friday night at Staples Center.

The Lakers have won 11 consecutive games. The last time the Lakers won that many games in a row was towards the end of the 2003-04 season.

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The Lakers will try and extend their winning streak Saturday night when they play the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

Lakers 86, Timberwolves 68 (end of third quarter)
It turned out that Kobe Bryant suffered an avulsion fracture on his right index finger in the first quarter.

Bryant went to the locker room before the second quarter ended. At halftime, Lakers trainer Gary Vitti put a splint on Bryant’s finger.

Bryant came out for the second half, scoring eight points in the quarter to help the Lakers open an 86-68 lead over Minnesota at the end of the third.

An avulsion fracture is where the ligament that’s attached to the bone is pulled off.

But Bryant has been known to play through pain and injuries his entire career.

That was the case again Friday night.

-- Broderick Turner

Lakers 56, Timberwolves 54 (halftime)

The Minnesota Timberwolves are definitely hanging with the Lakers, trailing, 56-54, at halftime Friday at Staples Center.

Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant each had 10 points for the Lakers, who lost almost all of a nine-point lead after the first quarter. Bryant left briefly in the first quarter after sustaining a sprained joint in the tip of his right index finger. He left again for the locker room in the second quarter and did not reappear before halftime.

Timberwolves center Al Jefferson was a force down low in the first half, scoring 12 points and taking six rebounds.

Former Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis, who is now the head coach of the Timberwolves, received his championship ring from last season before the game.

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The Timberwolves entered the game with a 3-19 record. The Lakers entered with an NBA-best 17-3 mark.

-- Mike Bresnahan

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