Minneapolis, MN. (Betting Express) - The Minnesota Timberwolves try to claw their way back into their best-of-seven series with the Los Angeles Lakers when the two teams meet tonight at Target Center.

Game 1 was deja vu for Phil Jackson, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. The coach and dynamic on-court duo lived up to the expectations created by their jewelry collection.

Bryant scored 39 points and O'Neal added 32 points and 10 rebounds, as the business-as-usual Lakers knocked off the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-98 in the series-opener on Sunday.

"We're pretty experienced at taking crowds out of games," said Bryant, discounting the effect of a raucous Target Center crowd. "I don't know what the big deal is about playing on the road. I've never seen fans scream loud enough to block my jump shot."

Bryant held Minnesota's Wally Szczerbiak to 15 points in addition to his offensive exploits.

"He was, you know, pretty hot," Szczerbiak said. "I was trying to deny, anything, and he got it and hit shots with guys draped all over him."

Minny's Kevin Garnett scored 23 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and handed out seven assists. The Timberwolves are anxious to shake the first-round monkey off their backs, but it will be tough to do against the three-time defending champs.

"They just shot the lights out of the ball," said Garnett. "We'll just have to do that on Tuesday."

According to a report in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the T-Wolves are planning on shaking up the lineup for tonight's contest. The move would slide Szczerbiak from the shooting guard to the small forward, Anthony Peeler would take over at the shooting guard and Joe Smith would go to the bench.

"Hopefully this will get them a little bit out of their rhythm," Szczerbiak told the newspaper.

Los Angeles' star center may be experiencing a little jet lag during tonight's game. O'Neal flew to South Carolina to attend the wake of Sirlester O'Neal, his paternal grandfather, on Monday. He is scheduled to arrive back in Minneapolis Tuesday morning and is expected to play tonight.

"We're all praying for him and his family," Bryant told the Los Angeles Times. "When he gets back, we're sure he's going to be looking forward to Game 2."

Game 3 is at Staples Center on Thursday night.