For the first time since March of 2014, the LA Lakers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in a basketball game. But then again, if you removed the 27 foot game winner from Nick Young where he obviously traveled at least twice the streak would still be intact.
OKC did still have five seconds left of which they didn’t use wisely as a double teamed Russell Westbrook had to hoist a 30 footer with two seconds left. Not a good look. For a reason I don’t understand, Andre Roberson was actually on the floor in those last five seconds even despite the fact he can’t shoot a basketball which in turn allows a defense to double up.
Final–LA Lakers 111-OKC Thunder 109. Both teams now stand 8-7 and have one game remaining against each other this season.
In retrospect, OKC didn’t lose because of the no call walk by Nick Young or the horrible last shot by Westbrook, but rather the fact they couldn’t defend the three point shot against the Lakers. LA was a torrid 14-27 from beyond the arc as OKC consistently lost their men on the perimeter.
Russell Westbrook single-handedly brought the Thunder back from a 14-point fourth period deficit with 17 points in the last frame going 4-7 from beyond the arc after not making a three in the previous three periods. OKC came all the way back and took a 109-108 lead on a Steven Adams put back of a Westbrook miss before the late game winner by Young.
Westbrook didn’t triple double, but had another impressive line with 34-8-13. Steven Adams had a career high scoring night with 20 points while adding 6 rebounds. Victor Oladipo added 14 points, but didn’t get enough shots. Andre Roberson and Domas Sabonis were unimpressive.
Off the bench, Enes Kanter had 10 points, but struggled catching the ball cleanly. Joffrey Lauvergne had another very solid game with 12 points and 7 boards. Jerami Grant had an excellent first half with 9 points on 4-5 shooting, but never shot the ball again in the second half. Anthony Morrow missed his only three point shot and is still in search of his first made three of the season. Alex Abrines didn’t do much either to help the cause.
OKC had 29 assists which is excellent, but as the game came down the stretch the ball didn’t move much from beyond Russell Westbrook.
OKC drops to 8-7 and is now 2-6 since it’s 6-1 start. The ball needs to move more in late game situations. It can’t just be Russell Westbrook against the world especially if Andre Roberson is on the floor in late game offensive situational possessions. Steven Adams should be touching it more especially since he’s turned himself into a 90 per cent free throw shooter who makes clutch free throws.
Second night of a road back to back in Sacramento tonight. Thunder need a win. It’s that simple.