Western Conference Semifinals – Game Four
It is May 19, 2012 and the (3) Los Angeles Lakers are set for a pivotal game against the (2) Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers secured a much-needed 99-96 victory over the Thunder on Friday. L.A. earned the win at the free throw line by converting 41-of-42 free throws. Kobe Bryant was perfect from the charity stripe, going 18-of-18 and setting a new Lakers playoff record.
Some members of the national media were not overly impressed. Granted, the Thunder are still the favorites in this series. But it seems that several have forgotten that in the 2010 series against them, OKC was +69 in free throw attempts at home. If the Lakers’ Steve Blake’s corner three-point shot hits home, this series has an entirely different feel to it.
Unfortunately, the Lakers do not have time to celebrate their huge win. Another blunder of NBA scheduling in this truncated season is that Los Angeles has to play a back-to-back playoff game tonight. This series is a battle of youth versus experience, i.e., a team that wants to get out in transition against one that wants to slow the pace and play half-court basketball.
The Lakers do have experience on their side, seeing as how OKC teammates Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden have played 30 playoff games combined. In contrast, the Lakers’ Metta World Peace has played 80, Pau Gasol has been in 99 and Bryant has logged 218. Los Angeles started this series appearing old, tired and slow but have changed it into one in which they appear comfortable playing.
The Lakers have to fight through the mental and physical fatigue that awaits them tonight. Their defense has been solid, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. Defensively, they have to continue to vary the way that they’re battling the pick-and-roll play.
The Laker guards have to continue to fight over the screens with the awareness that they will face many of them. It is imperative that they play with more energy, that they control the tempo, stop the dribble penetration of the OKC guards, get back in transition, contest shots and control the boards. Los Angeles has to do a better job of protecting the paint and the guards have to stay in front of their opponents and box out.
L.A. might have to entertain the thought of trapping Durant and Harden to get the ball out of their hands. Offensively, the Lakers’ ball movement and player movement has to continue to improve with the ball moving from the strong to weak side as well as going inside. Kobe Bryant will continue to lead the way for the purple and gold, but it was good to see point guard Ramon Sessions come alive in the last game. Sessions now has the green light and needs to continue to attack the paint.
L.A. has to get both Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol going offensively. OKC is doing a good job of denying passes into the low post. Los Angeles has to use different ways to get the ball inside to their big players. The Thunders is also sitting in Bynum and Gasol’s laps due to the Lakers’ poor perimeter shooting. Los Angeles has to attack the rim after giving OKC power forward Serge Ibaka a pump fake or two. The Lakers have to knock down perimeter jump shots, take care of the ball and limit OKC’s second-chance points.
Tonight’s game is a must-win game for the Lakers. They need to play with passion on every possession and execute their half court offense to perfection.
Lakers: R. Sessions, K. Bryant, M. Peace, P. Gasol, A. Bynum
Thunder: R. Westbrook, T. Sefolosha, K. Durant, S. Ibaka, K. Perkins
Tip-off: 7:30 pm pst
Television –
- Los Angeles: TNT
- Oklahoma City: TNT
Radio –
- Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (John Ireland & Mychal Thompson)
- Oklahoma City: 640 AM & 98.1 FM (Matt Pinto)
Injuries –
Lakers:
- Matt Barnes (Sprained Right Ankle) Probable
- Devin Ebanks (Middle & Ring Finger Contusions, Left Hand) Probable
Thunder:
- Eric Maynor (Torn Right ACL) Out