The only thing that moved slower than the Lakers was the clock.
They had poured their energy into fighting for everything while building a lead that stretched to 22 in the first half and lived at 20 deep into the second half. They had grabbed and clawed and got clawed and got grabbed and it was still there, a big lead, the Timberwolves and the clock left to beat to even the series at 1-1 and save a split on their homecourt.
But Minnesota got stronger. They got faster. They got smarter. And the Lakers, mentally and physically got slower.