Kobe Bryant had 34 points and Andrew Bynum had 26 as the Lakers finished this week's trip with a 1-2 mark.
They appeared to catch a break beforehand when Minnesota announced that All-Star forward Kevin Love would be sidelined because of back spasms. He is averaging 25.5 points and 13.8 rebounds.
Ricky Rubio couldn't finish the game after appearing to bang knees with Bryant with 16.4 seconds to play. A blocking foul was called on Rubio, who was carried to the bench by teammates and sat out the final few possessions.
Bryant made the free throws to give the Lakers a 103-102 edge.
The Lakers (24-16) have won 18 consecutive games against Minnesota (21-20), including three this season.
Love sat out because of back spasms but the Lakers couldn't take advantage of his absence in the first half, trailing by a surprising 58-49 margin.
Pau Gasol had an eerily quiet 16 minutes in the first half, scoring four points and taking four rebounds. He finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, though he blocked Derrick Williams' shot in the final seconds to preserve a one-point lead. Bryant was fouled after collecting the blocked shot and made two free throws for the final margin of victory.
Luke Ridnour's running three-point shot was short at the buzzer.
Williams, who started in place of Love, had 22 points for Minnesota.
Earlier on this trip, the Lakers lost to Detroit in overtime and to Washington after leading by 21.
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