THE Lakers on one side, the Thunder the other. In other words, two teams with identical records (36-37) before this game and who had no choice but to win to settle in the Top 8 and send a nice message to the competition, a little more two weeks from the end of the regular season.
In the lead for almost the entire meeting and carried by a Anthony Davis big nights (37 points, 15 rebounds), the players of Los Angeles struggled, but they mostly hunkered down in the “money time” to snatch this oh so precious success (116-111). Despite attempts to comeback of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (27 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds) and Josh Giddey (27 points, 17 rebounds, 7 assists) in favor ofOklahoma City.
Thus, the Lakers are now moving into balance and they are in the Top 8 in the West, taking advantage of the evening defeats of Dallas, Utah and OKC, therefore, to strike a blow in the standings. Still, there is still a long way to go before you can take a breather and consider yourself well on the way to the 2023 playoffs race.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Anthony Davis understood the issue well. Without LeBron James or D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers needed “AD” more than ever to respond and evolve at its very best against the Thunder. Mission accomplished, since the All-Star interior wandered around OKC’s weak racket: both to capture offensive rebounds and finish near the circle, as well as to line up successes in the paint by pulling out the muscles. A real show of force from Davis, monstrous from start to finish, first to launch Los Angeles into the game and then finally to bend the case. And ensure the victory of his people.
— Los Angeles Big Shot. A great first for the Lakers this season, since they (finally) have a balanced balance sheet and since they (finally) climb into the Top 8 of the Western Conference! A scenario made possible by this capital victory acquired at home against a direct opponent in the race for the playoffs, but also the reverse of the Mavericks. Of course, we shouldn’t get carried away and tell ourselves that the hardest part is over, because the gaps remain minimal in the standings, but this success (against a “back-to-back” opponent) should allow the “Purples & Gold” to gain confidence for the future.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Lonnie Walker IV. If Dennis Schröder (21 points, 6 assists) was also valuable in the five without D’Angelo Russell, especially at the end, it is difficult to ignore the surprise, but extremely important, contribution from the back: 20 points and 3 interceptions in 24 minutes, 4/8 from 3-pointers! Despite a series of three “DNP” in a row, Walker IV behaved like a great professional to enter the game and perform as rarely this season. All without taking into account his current state of form and showing unshakable confidence, to the delight of Darvin Ham…
✅ The Giddey/Gilgeous-Alexander duo. If the Thunder were able to gradually pick up the score and afford a chance to win in the “money time”, it is because Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have never ceased to relay in attack, to bring OKC back into contact and show the way to the rest of their teammates. It certainly didn’t go far on arrival, but Mark Daigneault can’t blame much for his two playing masters, present in all areas of the game to keep Oklahoma City alive in the game.
⛔ Jaylin Williams. Learning the hard way for the rookie of the Thunder, opposed to Anthony Davis face-to-face and obviously crunched by this same “AD” on arrival. Both in defense, where Williams suffered the domination of Davis in the racket, and in attack, where Williams, always, did not know how to sanction with regularity the open shots which were left to him by the “Purple & Gold”, at 3-points in particular (1/5).
THE FOLLOWING
Los Angeles (37-37) : Chicago reception, Sunday evening (9:30 p.m.).
Oklahoma City (36-38) : trip to Portland, overnight from Sunday to Monday (01:00).
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