NBA highlights on Dec. 30: Is age catching up with 39-year-old James?

The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-106 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Saturday, securing their second straight win and continuing to lead the Western Conference.

On the night of his 39th birthday, LeBron James had two chances to save the purple and gold but missed both. His side trailed 107-104 when Mike Conley missed a 3-pointer from the left wing. Anthony Davis grabbed the rebound and immediately passed it to James. He dribbled to the top of the key, dodged Conley and knocked down a shot that seemed to be a game-tying triple.

However, after reviewing the play, the referees ruled it a 2-point shot because James' right foot touched the 3-point line. With 2.3 seconds left, the Lakers had to foul Anthony Edwards to stop the clock. Edwards made only one of the two free throws, leaving the purple and gold 1.4 seconds to overcome the two-point deficit.

After the timeout, James received the ball at the baseline. Edwards and Rudy Gobert double-teamed him. He managed to beat Gobert with a spin but couldn't power away Edwards, who managed to deflect James' layup. He missed the shot, and the Lakers left Minnesota with a loss.

Despite failing to save the day, James played the same key role as Davis in Saturday's game. Davis offered remarkable individual offensive efficiency, going 12-for-17 from the field to score 33 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists. He also delivered four steals and two blocks, making the opponents think again before charging the rim.

James' stats of 26 points, six assists and three steals at 47.6 percent of field goal (FG) rate didn't look as excellent as Davis' numbers, but he was the one changing the Timberwolves' defense in the first place. It's hard for him to make shots over Gobert's 2.35-meter-long wingspan, but James' continuous and aggressive penetrations pressed the opponents' defensive line flat, setting better space vertically for his teammates to work offensively.

Just like the Lakers worked hard to weaken Gobert's defensive role, the Timberwolves did everything they could to draw Davis out of the paint. Edwards shouldered the biggest duty in this effort. From the second half, he kept coming after Davis via screen plays. He would beat Davis with one step and then explode on the Lakers' unprotected hoop. By doing so, Edwards forced Davis to close out harder on him so his teammates could attack the paint more easily.

Compared with the Lakers, who only had two players score double-digit points, the Timberwolves had four to do so, including Naz Reid, who got 21 points off the bench. Thanks to his work, the Timberwolves' backup unit outscored their Lakers' counterpart 34-26.

Other games on Saturday (away teams first):

Toronto Raptors 127-129 Detroit Pistons

The Pistons' first win in 61 days ended their NBA-record-tying 28-game losing steak at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. In an entirely defenseless contest from the second half, the Pistons and the Raptors scored 160 points, including 30 in the final 62 seconds. Cade Cunningham had 30 points and 12 assists with no turnover for the home team. His 14 points in the fourth quarter were why they stood up against their opponents' rally.

New York Knicks 126-140 Indiana Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton reached another cornerstone of his career with a double-double of 22 points and 23 assists at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. He became the third player in league history to get at least 20 points and 20 assists in two straight games after John Stockton and Magic Johnson. Haliburton also tied the Pacers' franchise record for the number of assists in a single game kept by Jamaal Tinsley.

Miami Heat 109-117 Utah Jazz

Philadelphia 76ers 92-105 Chicago Bulls

Dallas Mavericks 132-122 Golden State Warriors