The Lakers had announced that victory was mandatory this Saturday, and Darvin Ham changed his five, taking out D'Angelo Russell, but it is the Thunder who are starting the best. Facing LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, the Oklahoma City players responded to 3-pointers and were in front at the end of the first act (39-36). A lead that does not hold.
Indeed, with the energy of the “King”, the Lakers started the second quarter very strong, with a 13-3. Rui Hachimura continues to score baskets, the defense goes up a notch and the Californians keep control until the break (59-71).
The third quarter is difficult for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates. Finally, especially for the latter, because the former is the only one to weigh offensively, with 15 points. The others are clumsy, like Chet Holmgren who will have four open 3-point shots: all missed… LeBron James and Austin Reaves do not miss the target and the Lakers take a 26-point lead.
There is a little improvement, with the “SGA” points, to limit the damage before the last act (91-107). This dynamic continues with a Thunder zone defense that bothers Los Angeles. The gap is now only ten points. But LeBron James is having a great night and he scores the necessary baskets to give his team victory (120-129). A much-awaited success after four defeats in a row and which breaks the Thunder's series (three victories).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
A good performance from the Lakers. LeBron James' 40 points obviously take up all the space, but Los Angeles signed an authoritarian victory and not only thanks to the performance of its best player. Defensively, this team has regained intensity and a taste for effort which were less present in recent days, because of the fatigue expressed by the players. In addition to the bottom line, the victory, the Lakers can rejoice in form.
Rui Hachimura, the X factor. If LeBron James was huge, he was perfectly supported by the Japanese, author of an excellent match and above all an almost perfect first half, with 16 points at 7/10 on the shoot. He took open shots, was skillful and finished with 21 points at 8/14 on the shoot, 3/5 at 3-pts, without losing a ball in 29 minutes. Very clean and very valuable.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
