Apr 6, 2025; Oklahoma Metropolis, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder ahead Dillon Jones (3) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) battle for a unfastened ball throughout the second half at Paycom Middle. Obligatory Credit score: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Photos The Los Angeles Lakers confirmed simply how harmful their Large Three will be in Sunday’s street win over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, the crew with the NBA’s finest document.
The Lakers (48-30) can reinforce that impression Tuesday once they run it again towards the host Thunder.
“All three of these guys that we now have are elite offensive gamers,” Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. “You may strive your finest night-to-night to determine the place the weak factors are and the place you’ll be able to create a bonus.”
In Sunday’s 126-99 win, Doncic and Reaves mixed for 9 of Los Angeles’ season-high 22 3-pointers.
“With the including of Luka and the subtract of (Anthony Davis), their assault turns into extra perimeter and fewer inside,” Oklahoma Metropolis guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault mentioned there is a balancing act in not placing an excessive amount of inventory into the earlier matchup whereas additionally attempting to study one thing from it.
Oklahoma Metropolis (64-14) clinched the highest seed in the Western Convention practically three weeks in the past and, although it gained its subsequent seven video games after clinching to increase its profitable streak to 11, the Thunder now have dropped back-to-back video games for the second time this season.
“In case you depart somebody alone in the fitness center, they normally do not shoot that properly from 3,” Daigneault mentioned. “So there is a shot-making component. However I additionally suppose there is a focus component that we had been missing in the sport.”
A number of Thunder gamers have mentioned not too long ago they had been combating towards human nature to forestall a lull heading into the postseason.
“To not make it an excuse, however whether or not we win or lose, our standing will not change, so naturally, it should slip in,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “The problem for each crew is totally different, and the problem is for us to be sure that we keep targeted and proceed to play with that sense of urgency.”
Jalen Williams mentioned the Thunder simply have to maintain doing what they’ve executed all season and never overreact to the final two video games.
“I do not suppose it is misplaced,” Williams mentioned. “I do not learn about ‘discover it once more.’ It isn’t misplaced. Suppose it is simply extra attempting to determine what we wish to do and never panic.”
With another win, the Thunder would set the single-season franchise document for victories — surpassing the 1995-96 crew that went 64-18 when the franchise was in Seattle.
Whereas the Thunder can stay up for the postseason, Los Angeles nonetheless has lots to play for in the common season.
The Lakers come into the sport in third place in the Western Convention, 3 1/2 video games behind Houston for second and 1 1/2 video games forward of Denver for third with 4 video games remaining. They’ll end as excessive as second and as little as eighth.
Doncic mentioned the playoff-like atmosphere in Oklahoma Metropolis mixed with the aggressive race in the Western Convention helped sharpen his focus.
“It is very robust to play right here,” Doncic mentioned. “It is very robust to win, however trying on the standings as we speak, it is loopy in the West. It brings the aggressive spirit out of me.”
Tuesday’s sport is the primary of a back-to-back for the Lakers, who’ll play Wednesday at Dallas in Doncic’s first sport there since being traded to the Lakers for Davis on Feb. 2.
–Discipline Stage Media
Source link
#Deadspin #Lakers #muffle #Thunder #time #days
