Lakers vs. Timberwolves: Game updates Lakers 104, Timberwolves 85 (final) The mask came off and then it had to be put back on. With the Lakers' lead dwindling midway through the fourth quarter, Coach Mike Brown put starters Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol back into the game. Bryant quickly hit a jumper and a driving layup to help restore order for the Lakers, who improved to 15-2 at home with last-place Sacramento coming to Staples Center on Friday. Bryant finished with 31 points, making 11 of 23 shots, and Gasol added 15 points. Andrew Bynum had 13 points and 13 rebounds. Michael Beasley and Martell Webster had 14 points apiece for the Timberwolves, who were competitive for a half before imploding during a disastrous third quarter without sidelined power forward Kevin Love. The Lakers eclipsed 100 points for only the sixth time this season. They were able to clear their bench in the final minutes, with reserve forward Luke Walton getting a basket to please the crowd. Lakers 83, Timberwolves 59 (end of third quarter) Minnesota doesn't have much of a mean streak in it without Kevin Love. The Timberwolves played soft for much of a third quarter in which the Lakers scored the first nine points and later enjoyed back-to-back three-point plays from Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to take leads as large as 26 points. Love has not played because of sore ribs, depriving Minnesota of a player who averages 24.5 points and 13.8 rebounds. The Timberwolves particularly missed Love while being outscored, 33-15, in the third quarter. Bryant was active in the quarter, scoring 14 points while making three of eight shots. That bumped him to 24 points overall on eight-for-19 shooting. Gasol has also picked up the pace after a disastrous second quarter and has 15 points and four rebounds overall. Martell Webster has 14 points off the bench to lead the Timberwolves. It will be time to clear the bench soon for the Lakers. Lakers 50, Timberwolves 44 (halftime) It was a quiet second quarter for Kobe Bryant, who did not score and took only one shot, but Pau Gasol generated plenty of crowd noise. Mostly groans. Gasol repeatedly failed to box out Minnesota's Darko Milicic, giving the reserve a couple of easy putback layups, and botched a pass that led to a turnover. Gasol has four points on two-for-four shooting. Steve Blake gave the Lakers a boost off the bench with eight points in the second quarter, making two of three three-point attempts. Starting center Andrew Bynum has nine points and seven rebounds overall for the Lakers, who are shooting 53.7% to Minnesota's 41.3%. In what could be considered an audition for a potential trade suitor, Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley made some nifty moves on the way to a team-leading eight points in the first half. Minnesota is seeking a second consecutive victory coming out of the All-Star break after beating the Clippers on Tuesday.