How Thunder can beat Lakers in Western Conference semifinals…
“How can the Thunder win this series?”
Simple. As lengthy as the team bus arrives on time.
With star Luka Doncic out for the foreseeable future, the Lakers are at a large drawback against the defending champion Thunder. AP
That’s a joke, nevertheless it’s also deeply-rooted in fact.
Because if the Thunder merely present up as themselves—not some overcaffeinated version attempting too laborious or an overcautious one afraid of the second—this sequence might be over shortly.
The Lakers needed to discover a new identification in the postseason without their MVP Luka Doncic.
The Thunder don’t want a new identification.
OKC are the reigning NBA champions, and a 64-win machine that crushed something in their path during the common season. They chewed by the Suns in the first round prefer it was a warmup drill at observe.
Yes, the Lakers are gritty and resilient, they’re also older, thinner, and injured.
So in relation to what OKC must do to advance to the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season, let’s not overcomplicate it.
All the Thunder have to do to win this sequence is do precisely what they’ve been doing for the last two years.
Apart from staking his declare as the best participant in the world, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also an above common defender able to dominating the Lakers on each ends of the courtroom. NBAE through Getty Images
That begins on protection the place the Thunder are already the best in the league.
OKC has a backline eraser in Chet Holmgren, who completed second for NBA Defensive Player of the Year this season. Holmgren doesn’t just block photographs, he erases them totally. The Rockets didn’t have Steven Adams in their first-round sequence so LeBron James and the Lakers had been capable of get to the paint, particularly when their perimeter photographs had been falling. Holmgren takes that away from Los Angeles.
The Thunder are also the second-best team in the NBA at forcing turnovers. The Lakers are weak with the ball. That’s a recipe for catastrophe. The Thunder can break this sequence open just by persevering with to be surgical in their defensive ball strain. Anticipate the passing lanes and have lively palms. Turn errors into fast transition factors.
The second factor the Thunder have to do to beat the Lakers is fairly apparent: don’t let LeBron beat you.
At 41 years outdated, LeBron is still sensible and able to dominating a game, however without Doncic beside him, it makes it simpler to hone in on him defensively.
This is the place guys like Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Alex Caruso will earn their cash. Nobody will have the ability to cease LeBron fully, however the Thunder plan to make use of all three of their versatile and aggressive defenders to disrupt him. Expect OKC to throw size and a number of our bodies at him. To flip him right into a passer and strain him into making errors.
Lakers guard Marcus Smart said last week, “pressure bursts pipes, but also makes diamonds.”
Much like he did in the first-round sequence over the Rockets, LeBron James must carry a large load if the Lakers desire a respectable likelihood at upsetting Oklahoma City. Getty Images
The Thunder’s strain plans on bursting the Lakers and making a flood. That flood will result in transition offense the place reigning MVP Shai Gilegous-Alexander thrives. Offensively, OKC doesn’t want a game plan to beat the Lakers. SGA is the game plan.
The Lakers won’t be able to duplicate his tempo or cease his herky-jerky rhythm on offense. He can assault the basket, pull up from midrange, or drain a dagger three in your face. The Thunder just have to let him function in house and the Lakers defenders will seem like they’re caught in a windstorm.
“He’s very professional at putting the ball in the basket,” said Lakers guard Austin Reaves of SGA. “He’s good at all three levels. He also shoots a lot of free throws. When you do that at a high-efficiency, it’s going to be tough to stop him.”
Thankfully for the Thunder, even in the event that they do cease him, others can beat you.
Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein convey an inside toughness that may permit OKC to dominate the paint. Alex Caruso, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, Lou Dort, and Isaiah Joe can all beat you from past the arc. Depth isn’t just a luxurious for the Thunder — it’s a weapon.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren mix to make up arguably the most devastating duo in the league. NBAE through Getty Images
If the Thunder have a weak point it’s that they permit quite a lot of three-pointers. The Lakers proved in their 4 wins over the Rockets that once they’re scorching from three, they can shoot you out of a sequence. That’s the one space the Thunder can’t get beat at.
They have to contest without fouling and shut out under management. Two issues they’re already wonderful at. The Lakers shot 36% from three during the common season. Keep them below their common and OKC might be just high-quality.
Entering Game 1 on Tuesday, the Thunder are the more rested team. They’ve had precisely per week off between games. Against the oldest team still standing in the playoffs, that issues. OKC must punch early and set the tone in Game 1. Remind everybody why they’re the reigning champs and switch the Paycom Center right into a storm the Lakers can’t escape.
Which brings us again to the starting. The Thunder just want to point out up and play their game.
Do that, and this sequence doesn’t stretch into drama.
It ends shortly.
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