 | | Lakers Look To Roll Back Thunder in Game 2 | | by Mike Trudell | | | After a rousing 4-2 series victory over Houston in Round 1, the Lakers knew the Oklahoma mountain awaiting in Round 2 against the defending champion Thunder would be steeper. | | | While that proved to be the case in Tuesday’s Round 1 opener at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center, with the No. 1 seed prevailing 108-90 in a game that was tighter than the final score indicated, a resilient group of Lakers is taking stock of where they can improve ahead of a chance to even the series in Thursday’s Game 2.
“I just thought we had some game-plan breakdowns,” summarized LeBron James, who was terrific individually towards 27 points and six assists. “They're going to test you, obviously. They're going to see how many times they can make you have game-plan breakdowns or game-plan discipline, and we had a few. Almost too many, obviously, versus a team like this.”
Against OKC’s blitzing defense, which ranked No. 1 in defensive efficiency and No. 1 in steals and deflections in the regular season, mistakes are costly. LA ended up with 18 turnovers, 3.3 more than they averaged, including 10 in the second half.
And yet, the visitors got within four points midway through the third quarter on Rui Hachimura’s 3rd 3-point make in six attempts, the Japanese sniper’s 12th straight game shooting at least 50.0 percent from distance, before OKC managed to finish the period with an and-1 three to get their lead back to double digits.
“We will see it on film and see ways we can be better,” LeBron continued. “And obviously, they're going to make adjustments too because that’s what championship teams do. So we have to be ready for what they bring to the table as well.” |  | “I think it was a general theme throughout the night, when we made game plan mistakes, they hurt us,” added coach JJ Redick. “You’re playing the world champs, your margin for error is not that high – it was just too many tonight. We have to clean that up.”
Defensively, the Lakers played quite well, holding an OKC team that averaged 122.8 points in their Round 1 sweep over Phoenix to 108, while limiting the Thunder to just 12 free throw attempts, and leading MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 18 points.
“There were some good things,” offered Redick. “We won expected score, we held Shai under 20, he ended up with seven turnovers, guys played hard. We just gotta do a better job with execution.”
The turnovers are part of that lack of execution at times, as was the simple fact that LA missed several good looks that they expect to hit. As a team, the Lakers went 10 of 30 from 3 (33.3%), with Austin Reaves missing all five of his triples, towards a 3 for 16 shooting night in his third game back after missing a month due to an oblique strain.
“He was out a month,” said LeBron of Reaves. “We know he's going to make shots and make plays, but that's tough. To be out a month towards the end of the season. So, obviously we're trying to fast-track, him getting back on the floor and doing the things that he was doing before the injury. But he's out a month, so rightfully so, if he has some games where he's missing shots or whatever the case may be. But his presence alone helps us no matter what.”
“He didn’t play well, but he’s going to bounce back,” added Redick. “He’s a great player.”
Marcus Smart, who drew the primary assignment on Gilgeous-Alexander while also leading the Lakers with seven assists and four steals, also struggled from the field, going 4 for 15. He said he’d be better from the field next game, and also gave OKC some deserved credit.
“They're relentless in their pursuit – they're constantly on the move, they're constantly downhill, but putting defenses on their heels … not only on just offensively, defensively, it is tough,” Smart explained. “And they come in waves, right? And when they get hot and get going, they can really get going. So they're tough in that aspect. They've been here, they understand it. They grew up together, and they have a different type of chemistry that most teams probably don't have.” |  | Of course, battling such a team is more difficult without a team’s best player. Clearly, the Lakers continue to miss Luka Dončić, who remains out with a hamstring injury.
“We have a guy that averages (over 33 points) a game,” said LeBron, when asked about LA’s offensive struggles in Game 1. “There's the (scoring) issue right there. We're playing against the number one defensive team in the NBA as far as the ratings and everything. And when you play against great defense, you have to have guys that can attract multiple defenders on the floor at all times.
“So we have to be better at finding ways to get to the blender, find ways to get to the paint. We know they're a paint-swarming team. So we have to be better with getting into the paint, not turning the ball over, and then shooting with confidence.”
Dončić took questions from assembled media in OKC on Wednesday afternoon, not quite five weeks after he hurt the hamstring on April 2.
“Right now I'm running, but I haven't done any contact,” he explained. “The day I did the MRI on the hamstring, the doctor told me eight weeks ... I'm doing everything I can in the process, and I think we're on a good way."
Luka shared how difficult it’s been for him to be kept from playing the game he loves, and helping his teammates.
“It's a tough one for me because I came back from injuries before too soon, and it wasn't the best result,” he continued. “But like I say, this is the first time I have the hamstring injury. It's not the same like other injuries. You have to be very careful, and I'm doing everything to come back. All the recovery, the chamber, cold tub, everything I can to come back, but it's obviously very different than other injuries I had.”
Meanwhile, Jarred Vanderbilt left Game 1 in the second quarter after hitting his right hand on the basket while contesting a shot, suffering a full dislocation. Medical staff were able to put his finger back in alignment and put him in a split, and Redick said he’d be listed as “day to day” moving forward.
“He's tough as nails,” said LeBron. “So if Vando was in pain, then something actually really happened. So, it sucks.”
And yet, this Lakers team has been resilient in the face of challenges all season long. Smart said he’s feeling very optimistic that they’ll bounce back.
“We started out great – we were doing very well, we were in the game,” he summarized. “We held them to 101 before late in the game. We're playing the defending champs, it's gonna be tough. They're going to make some tough shots, some tough plays, and we just can't let that derail us, right? We got to stick with it. I'm very confident in the way the game plan is. Teammates, you know, getting Austin back in his groove. Just getting guys back, right? So I'm definitely confident, but it's definitely gonna be a challenge.” | | | | | |
