Los Angeles, CA (My Sportsbook) - The Los Angeles Lakers are the definition of the modern sports dynasty. With three straight NBA titles in tow and a 39-13 close to the regular season after an 11-19 start, it appeared the Lakers were poised to defend their NBA throne. Most basketball fans were already looking forward to a potential rematch with the Sacramento Kings for Western Conference supremacy, with the winner squaring off with the East's sacrificial lamb for all the marbles.

Now, Phil Jackson's team is at a crucial junction in its postseason journey. The Lakers are coming off a 114-110 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The setback leaves Los Angeles trailing the best-of-seven series 2-1, with three of the remaining four games scheduled for Target Center.

Kevin Garnett scored 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds before fouling out just 12 seconds into the extra session. With KG out of the game, the Lakers should have been in the catbird's seat, but his departure was an LA negative in an intangible way.

"I think we relaxed a little bit when Garnett went out of the ballgame," Jackson admitted. "They got some rebounds and some things that were really fortunate for them down the stretch."

The foul that sent Garnett to the bench was a case of official largesse. Garnett had his hand on Robert Horry's back while defending an inbounds play. Horry flopped to the wood, the Garnett was done for the night off due to veteran deception.

"I didn't even touch him. I know how to foul," Garnett said.

Garnett was obviously tortured by his time on the bench.

"It was miserable, knowing I couldn't come out there and help my team," Garnett said. "I thought of other ways to help out, motivate, help the guys get over the edge.

"I was going to be a T-Wolves cheerleader without the skirt and pom-poms."

Kobe Bryant paced the Lakers with 30 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 28 points and 17 rebounds. Derek Fisher was hot early from behind the arc and finished with 23 points, but none of those came after the third quarter.

With Game 4 scheduled for Sunday at Staples Center, where the Lakers won their last 15 regular season games, the pressure is clearly on the defending champs. A loss on Saturday would almost ensure that their championship run is over.

"We have been in similar situations," Bryant said. "We know how to deal with this."

Bryant is right, the Lakers have been in this precise position. Last season, in its Western Conference Finals series, Los Angeles won the first game against Sacramento at ARCO Arena, then proceeded to drop consecutive games including the first one at Staples Center. With the help of some fortuitous bounces and their steely nerves, the Lakers won that series in seven games en route to their third straight championship. This season's conversion from five games to seven in the opening round is the first morsel of good luck for the Lakers, now we'll see if they can weather the storm.

Minnesota's shift to its smaller lineup has helped it to play these last two games at a more frenetic pace -- which is definitely in its best interest. Troy Hudson and Anthony Peeler have pushed the ball up the floor, forcing the older Lakers to run up and down the floor, and not allowing them to play the half-court style that is the their advantage.

"Overall, I think we know we have to play better," Jackson said. "And we have to play more of our tempo. We have to play with a little more poise and be a little more directed."

Los Angeles will try to control the tempo in Game 4 and get back on track.