The Los Angeles Lakers confirmed simply how harmful their Massive Three may be in Sunday’s street win over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, the staff with the NBA’s finest report.
The Lakers (48-30) can reinforce that impression Tuesday after they run it again towards the host Thunder.
“All three of these guys that we have now are elite offensive gamers,” Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. “You’ll be able to strive your finest night-to-night to determine the place the weak factors are and the place you’ll be able to create a bonus.”
In Sunday’s 126-99 win, Doncic and Reaves mixed for 9 of Los Angeles’ season-high 22 3-pointers.
“With the including of Luka and the subtract of (Anthony Davis), their assault turns into extra perimeter and fewer inside,” Oklahoma Metropolis guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault mentioned there is a balancing act in not placing an excessive amount of inventory into the earlier matchup whereas additionally attempting to study one thing from it.
Oklahoma Metropolis (64-14) clinched the highest seed within the Western Convention practically three weeks in the past and, although it received its subsequent seven video games after clinching to increase its profitable streak to 11, the Thunder now have dropped back-to-back video games for the second time this season.
“For those who go away somebody alone within the gymnasium, they normally do not shoot that effectively from 3,” Daigneault mentioned. “So there is a shot-making factor. However I additionally suppose there is a focus factor that we have been missing within the recreation.”
A number of Thunder gamers have mentioned lately they have been preventing towards human nature to stop a lull heading into the postseason.
“To not make it an excuse, however whether or not we win or lose, our standing will not change, so naturally, it may slip in,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “The problem for each staff is totally different, and the problem is for us to be sure that we keep centered and proceed to play with that sense of urgency.”
Jalen Williams mentioned the Thunder simply have to preserve doing what they’ve accomplished all season and never overreact to the final two video games.
“I do not suppose it is misplaced,” Williams mentioned. “I do not learn about ‘discover it once more.’ It is not misplaced. Suppose it is simply extra attempting to determine what we wish to do and never panic.”
With yet another win, the Thunder would set the single-season franchise report for victories — surpassing the 1995-96 staff that went 64-18 when the franchise was in Seattle.
Whereas the Thunder can look ahead to the postseason, Los Angeles nonetheless has a lot to play for within the common season.
The Lakers come into the sport in third place within the Western Convention, 3 1/2 video games behind Houston for second and 1 1/2 video games forward of Denver for third with 4 video games remaining. They will end as excessive as second and as little as eighth.
Doncic mentioned the playoff-like surroundings in Oklahoma Metropolis mixed with the aggressive race within the Western Convention helped sharpen his focus.
“It’s extremely robust to play right here,” Doncic mentioned. “It’s extremely robust to win, however trying on the standings at the moment, it is loopy within the West. It brings the aggressive spirit out of me.”
Tuesday’s recreation is the primary of a back-to-back for the Lakers, who’ll play Wednesday at Dallas in Doncic’s first recreation there since being traded to the Lakers for Davis on Feb. 2.
–Subject Degree Media
