EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Regardless of all of the robust losses, all of the accidents all through the season, the Los Angeles Lakers reminded everybody Monday of a vital reality: They’ll nonetheless beat the NBA’s greatest groups.
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder entered Crypto.com Enviornment with the very best file within the Western Convention however left with a humbling 116-104 loss.
Protection did it for the Lakers, who had been within the throes of a brutal stretch of the schedule however held Oklahoma Metropolis to 39% capturing and shut down NBA MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Lakers’ teaching workers talked concerning the significance of protection on the staff’s morning shoot-around. Cease the ball on protection, they implored gamers. Don’t gamble. Defend with out fouling. Get defensive rebounds.
The Lakers just about did the entire above towards the Thunder (42-19). Gilgeous-Alexander was the league’s second-leading scorer (31.2 factors a sport) however was held to twenty factors on five-for-13 capturing. Jalin Williams, one other blossoming star for the Thunder, made solely two of 9 pictures for seven factors.
“Our protection, man, kudos to our guys,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham stated.
The Lakers had a near-flawless first half on protection, holding Oklahoma Metropolis to 30.6% capturing on the way in which to a 52-43 lead. It may have been higher for the Lakers, however 12 first-half turnovers gave the Thunder manner too many straightforward factors (14).
“I informed them at halftime it was like the very best defensive half I’ve seen all season,” Ham stated.
The Lakers prolonged their result in 89-72 via three quarters because of a suffocating protection that hadn’t offered itself typically this season.
D’Angelo Russell drilled back-to-back-to-back three-pointers early within the fourth quarter and the rout was formally on because the Lakers led by 24.
Russell was requested afterward if he favored having the new hand.
“Hell yeah,” he informed Spectrum SportsNet. “It looks as if that’s what I do. Feels good. My teammates discover me after I’m scorching. It makes it straightforward after I stretch the ground like that. That’s what capturing does. It’s my pleasure.”
One thing to file away in case the Lakers and Thunder meet within the playoffs: The Lakers completed 3-1 towards Oklahoma Metropolis this season.
One thing else that may please the ninth-place Lakers (34-29), even those who declare to disregard the standings: They pulled inside two video games of sixth-place Phoenix. The highest six groups within the West get computerized playoff bids whereas groups seven via 10 participate within the all the time dangerous play-in event.
Anthony Davis had 24 factors and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who beat Oklahoma Metropolis in factors within the paint, 48-36.
“We perceive that when the ball is popping and all people is feeling snug, we’ve been enjoying some actually good basketball offensively,” stated LeBron James, who scored 19 factors.
The Lakers simply received the battle of the boards, 55-38.
The staff continues a tough a part of the schedule with residence video games Wednesday towards Sacramento, Friday towards Milwaukee and Sunday towards Minnesota.