Despite a demanding series of trips, the Thunder just kept winning. Carried by a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander another gala, OKC wins on the Lakers floor (93-101), for a 4th victory in a row, the third away.
It was not until the final moments of a match, where neither team was more than 10 points ahead, to see the Thunder secure their victory. Let us cite the most important shot of the match, converted by SGA one minute and a half from the end, at 3-points, to give his team a two possession lead (91-95).
A winning shot followed by a passage to the free-throw line, and above all a terrible clumsiness from the Lakers coming out of a time-out 20 seconds from the end: Austin Reaves almost offered his throw-in to Jalen Williams who could dunk and close the debates (93-99). JJ Redick could look gloomy when taking another time-out…
The strong men of the Lakers are struggling
The visitors also made some blunders, mainly in terms of shooting: only 41% success. The Thunder, however, got off to a good offensive start in the first 12 minutes (24-32). But the pace of the game clearly slowed down afterward.
By stealing three times more balls than their opponents (12-4), the Thunder, narrowly leading at the break (48-51) and at the start of the 4th (69-71), held the shock defensively and limited the impact of the strong men opposite: a little-used Anthony Davis, a very average LeBron James and an Austin Reaves failing behind the arc (1/9).
Fortunately for the locals, Dalton Knecht and D'Angelo Russell responded by accumulating a good 10/21 between them at 3-points, many of which were converted in the last period. Insufficient, however, to overcome the obstacle of a Thunder still shining with maturity.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– The best defense in the league has spoken. With minus 103 conceded per game per 100 possessions, the Thunder have the best defense in the league. New illustration this night for Mark Daigneault's men who were able to get by despite some clumsiness and a very slow pace of play. The Lakers, who had never failed to reach the 100-point mark this season, struggled to express themselves fluidly on offense. And to face the best ball stealing team in the league.
– Anthony Davis forgotten? Closely followed throughout the evening by Isaiah Hartenstein, author of a big rebound in rebounds (17), Anthony Davis put in a solid overall match, on both sides of the field. But with a very small volume of shots. His 10 attempts are the second lowest total of his season, and almost half as many as his average for the year.
– The Thunder returns to the NBA Cup. By winning a second time in three games, the Thunder are back in the race for first place in Group B, currently occupied by the Suns. An achievable goal for OKC, still first in the West with 15 victories in 19 games, which ends its series of qualifying matches on Tuesday against the Jazz. The Lakers (2v-2d) will have more difficulty qualifying. Especially since their recent 27-point defeat in Phoenix weighed down their point average.
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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.
