Thunder vs. Lakers: LA Improvements Will Lead to Game 4 Win
The Lakers are slowly getting things together in their series with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Is it too late?
Of course not, the old saying is true: a series hasn't really started until someone loses a game at home. I fully expect the Lakers to win Game 4, and they will be in perfect position to "start this series" in Game 5.
Why do I believe the Lakers are not only headed for a Game 4 win, but also a commanding 3-2 edge after Game 5?
It's because of the improvements I've seen over the past two games, and the simplicity of the Thunder's attack. Consider the following factors about these two teams and this series.
Lakers' Improvement on Defense
We all know about Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum on offense, but one of the most underrated aspects of this Lakers' team is their defense. It was not present in Game 1 when LA was blown out by 29 and allowed 119 points on 53 percent shooting.
In Game 2, the Lakers began to shut the Thunder down. They only allowed 77 points and narrowly lost a game they should have won. They held OKC to 39 percent from the field in this game.
In Game 3, the Lakers got the win, and they held the Thunder to 38 percent shooting. They gave up more points because they sent them to the line 28 times.
LA's defense has answered the call, and as long as they continue to tighten up on that end of the floor they will be in great position to win.
Lakers' Aggressiveness on Offense
The Lakers must pound the ball inside. It is still their biggest advantage in this series. In Games 1 and 2 they shot 28 free throws combined; in Game 3 they went to the line 42 times.
Some may call that home-cooking, and I don't deny playing in the Staples Center had some affect, but it was also due to the Lakers post players attacking, as well as Bryant.
They must continue this trend. It helps to slow the tempo, which they also need, and it wears down the Thunder' bigs who can't challenge the Lakers' big men on the other end.
I expect they will keep this commitment to attacking the rim, and I don't think the Thunder have an answer for it.
Thunder Bench Scoring—Outside of James Harden
It's obvious Harden is a productive player off the bench; he's the Sixth Man of the Year. But in the last two games the rest of the Thunder bench has been held to a total of 17 points.
Harden plays a starter's minutes so including his numbers in with the reserves is technically accurate, but deceiving. This team has no other capable scorer aside from Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Harden.
To further complicate things, the three of them tend to settle for jump shots or work primarily out of isolation. This makes it easier to hold down the other players, and it puts pressure on the Thunder's big three to shoot the ball well from a distance.
They were decent in Games 1 and 2 from three-point range, but made only 4-for-17 in Game 3. The Lakers will continue to expose this, and these three things combined will lead to a 3-2 Lakers' advantage heading into Game 6.
Follow Brian Mazique and Franchiseplay.net for reactions, analysis and news from the world of sports and sports Video Games
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
