Mike D'Antoni: 'We were punished for lack of intensity'

Mike D'Antoni has claimed that the Los Angeles Lakers were punished for defending with a lack of intensity in the loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves scored 47 points in the first quarter on their way to a 113-90 victory at the Staples Center and D'Antoni was eager to point the finger at the defensive mistakes after the game.

"We came out soft," the Lakers coach told reporters. "They made some tough shots, but they did score 47 points. And I don't care what kind of shots they made.

"There just wasn't enough intensity into the defense, and we paid for it."

The Lakers had won the previous 22 games between the two teams before Sunday's defeat.