If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24 points, 6 assists) and Anthony Davis (27 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists) went blow for blow in the first quarter (27-26), the first half was dominated by the two defenses. The two teams in fact remained below the 42% success mark to return to the locker rooms back to back (50-50).
The crossover continues after the break but while the Thunder continues to look for their address, the trio Anthony Davis – LeBron James – Austin Reaves (15 points, 7 assists) allows the Lakers to make the gap by insisting inside . The three players scored 29 of their team's 36 points in the third quarter and ended the period with an 11-4 lead to take a nine-point lead (83-74).
Two winning shots from the Thunder revive the visitors but the Lakers do not release the pressure. LeBron James (25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) continues to attack the circle and one of his layups gives his team a 13-point lead (106-93). Jalen Williams (25 points) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander attempt a last stand and bring OKC to -5 (108-103). The Lakers, however, did not tremble on the free throw line and won an important match to avoid being left behind in the race for the playoffs.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Unchallenged domination of the Lakers in the paint. Anthony Davis's statistics line (27 points, 15 rebounds) speaks for itself, but it was the entire Los Angeles squad that insisted throughout the match by attacking the circle. Facing one of the best defenses and one of the best blockers (Chet Holmgren) in the league, the Lakers remained true to their identity. Anthony Davis and LeBron James often finished the job near the rim, but Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell were instrumental in serving them. In the end, the Lakers won the racket battle by 20 points (64-44)!
– OKC is losing its address by a long shot. On paper, the Thunder have a much more balanced attack than the Lakers. They can be tough at mid-range thanks to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They can dominate inside with Chet Holmgren. And, they can make rain fall from anywhere. The Thunder are the second most skillful team in the league this season (39.2%), just behind the Clippers but, last night, despite numerous open shots, Mark Daigneault's men were never able to set the sights (30.6% ). This lack of success allowed the Lakers to win.
– The Lakers defense is doing a good job on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While he started the match on fire (10 points on 4/6 on shots in the first quarter), the Lakers limited Gilgeous-Alexander to 5/13 on shots and only 4 free throws in the last three quarter time. The size and toughness of Angelenos hampered the Thunder star when he usually has an answer for everything.
Highlights and stats to come…
