'Good road trip' for improved Lakers

Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio feels defensive pressure from the Lakers' Larry Nance Jr., left, and Louis Williams as he tries to pass the ball in the second half of Sunday's game. (Bruce Kluckhohn / Associated Press) Before Sunday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers Coach Luke Walton noted to his team that they were essentially playing with house money.

He wanted to come away from the past week’s three-game road trip with at least two wins, and had already accomplished that with wins in Sacramento and New Orleans. Though motivated to sweep the road trip, Walton was generally pleased with the trip.

“Good road trip,” Walton said. “Two-and-one. Keep our heads up. Go home. Take…