L.A. Lakers: Have the Lakers Found Their Third Big Man in Jordan Hill?

There were several performances that stood out in the Los Angeles Lakers' 114-106 double-overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, most notably the horrible shooting games from three of the game's superstars.

Thunder stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook shot a combined 14-56 from the field, while Lakers star Kobe Bryant shot 9-26 and finished with 26 points.

The game will be remembered for Metta World Peace's flagrant foul that sent him to the locker room, and ended Thunder guard James Harden' night as well.

Lakers fans will also remember their team's comeback from an 18-point deficit, aided by some timely three-point shooting from Bryant, and they will probably never forget the consistent, steady performance of reserve forward Jordan Hill.

In 35 minutes Hill shot 6-11 from the field and scored 14 points, while also pulling down a team-high 15 rebounds.

Hill often stood toe-to-toe with the NBA's leading shot blocker Serge Ibaka and he didn't give much ground to Thunder center Kendrick Perkins either.

In fact, Hill turned in such an inspired performance that star Lakers center Andrew Bynum didn't get off the bench during the fourth quarter or either of the overtimes.

I'm sure the media will find a way to turn that into a controversy, but the bigger story is Hill's game and whether or not he could possibly be the third big man the Lakers have been looking for since Lamar Odom was traded.

The Lakers' bench has been a point of concern all season, and the team had been searching for a player or two to step up in the absence of Odom and former Lakers guard Shannon Brown.

Forward Matt Barnes and guard Steve Blake have been filling that role admirably recently, but Hill's performance against the Thunder opens up a whole new set of possibilities, especially if he can play like this on a somewhat consistent basis.

The third-year forward is smaller than Bynum and forward Pau Gasol, but he is much more physical than Gasol, and he uses his 6'10" frame well around the rim.

Hill also played with energy and intensity, and his scrappiness in the paint is a trait that could serve the Lakers well if they should happen to meet the Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs in the postseason.

The Lakers only have one regular season game left—against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday—so their win over the Thunder likely solidified the third seed in the playoffs and the Pacific Division crown they have owned since 2008.

The Lakers also gained a measure of confidence after consecutive blowout losses to the Spurs, because three losses to the conference's top two teams in a span of two weeks is not a good way to end the regular season.

The Lakers' win over the Thunder doesn't prove they are ready to contend for a title this season, but they may have another weapon once the battles begin.

The Lakers will certainly miss Odom's versatility and Brown's athleticism in the postseason this year, but if Hill can build on his strong performance against the Thunder, there may be life for the Lakers in the playoffs after all.