Austin Reaves, who averaged 23.3 factors throughout the common season, went simply 3-for-16 in Recreation 1.
The Los Angeles Lakers perceive the dilemma they face of their Western Convention semifinals sequence in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
The Lakers should be at or close to their greatest to win a recreation within the sequence. The defending champion Thunder don’t.
That performed out in Recreation 1 with the Thunder holding a principally secure distance between themselves and the Lakers on the scoreboard earlier than finally pulling away for a 108-90 victory.
The Lakers have been by no means fairly out of it till the fourth however weren’t capable of make it a tighter contest earlier than then.
Listed here are three issues to look at in Recreation 2 Thursday (9:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video):
1. Austin Reaves’ scoring is critical for the Lakers
Recreation 1 was Reaves’ third recreation again since straining his indirect muscle groups in opposition to the Thunder on April 2, so he’s working his manner again into recreation type. Plus, he took a punishing hit to the chest within the sequence opener.
Nonetheless, Reaves’ 3-for-16 taking pictures efficiency from the sector (together with 0-for-5 on 3-pointers) for eight factors plus 4 turnovers won’t assist the Lakers win a recreation.
It’s not on one participant, and Luka Dončić sidelined with a strained left hamstring hurts the Lakers, however they’re higher when Reaves averages what he did throughout the common season: 23.3 factors, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds.
“The simple factor is to make extra pictures,” Reaves mentioned. “I bought to my spots a number of occasions and simply missed a few simple pictures. For probably the most half, bought to restrict the turnovers. They strain the ball very well and simply have to provide us a possibility to get a shot up on each possession.”
Mentioned Thunder coach Mark Daigneault: “With him, you simply can’t give him numerous cracks. Should you give him simple stuff, he’s capable of actually burn you. And I assumed we did a pleasant job of holding him at bay, not fouling him an excessive amount of and being in good place on him and simply making him earn every thing.”
2. Who else can produce for the Lakers?
LeBron James had 27 factors, six assists and 4 rebounds, Rui Hachimura scored 18 factors, and Deandre Ayton had 10 factors and 12 rebounds. However the remainder of the Lakers shot simply 11-for-43 from the sector.
Marcus Sensible added 12 factors however was simply 4-for-15.
Sure, it’s a matter of creating pictures. However the opponent has a task to play in a group’s shot choice and shot high quality, and the Thunder had the perfect regular-season protection, permitting 106.5 factors per 100 possessions. It’s not simple to attain in opposition to them.
Jarred Vanderbilt sustained an damage to the small finger on his proper (non-shooting) hand, including to the Lakers’ depth points.
Recreation 1 was the third consecutive recreation during which the Lakers scored fewer than 100 factors. They can use extra of reserve Luke Kennard’s 3-point taking pictures, and the message from Lakers coach JJ Redick to Kennard: Hold taking pictures. They require higher effectivity from Sensible and Reaves.
“We will rating the ball. We’re going to attain the ball,” Sensible mentioned. “Simply bought to do it. … I’ve bought to be higher. It begins with me. I take full accountability for it. I do know I’m not the explanation we misplaced, however I really feel I may have gave extra.”
3. Anticipate a special Gilgeous-Alexander in Recreation 2
The dangerous information for Oklahoma Metropolis? Gilgeous-Alexander scored 18 factors (13 beneath his season common) and dedicated seven turnovers (5 greater than his season common). The excellent news? The Thunder nonetheless gained, they usually don’t anticipate the 2024-25 Kia MVP – a finalist for the award once more this season – to have one other recreation like that.
“I used to be unfastened with the ball, had numerous turnovers,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “That goes to the rust and never enjoying for slightly bit. They’re clearly very aggressive. I really feel for many of the evening we bought nice appears.”
Identical to they did in opposition to Houston’s Kevin Durant within the first spherical, the Lakers despatched double groups at Gilgeous-Alexander to get the basketball out of his palms.
It took time for Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder to regulate, however they did. Chet Holmgren had 24 factors, 12 rebounds and three blocks, and 9 gamers scored a minimum of 5 factors, together with reserve Jared McCain (12 factors on 4 3-pointers).
The Thunder’s depth makes it attainable for his or her predominant star to have an “off recreation” and nonetheless win a playoff recreation by 18.
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Jeff Zillgitt has coated the NBA since 2008. You’ll be able to e-mail him at jzillgitt@nba.com, discover his archive right here and follow him on X.