Western Conference Semifinals – Game Two
It is May 16, 2012 and the (3) Los Angeles Lakers are set to make the necessary adjustments and get back into the series against the (2) OKC Thunder. The Lakers looked in need of a collective B12 shot Monday night against a young, rested and well-coached Thunder team en route to a 119-90 blow out. They were tired and weary from a long, grueling seven-game series with the Denver Nuggets and were simply outplayed.
OKC had a nine-day layoff after quickly dispatching the defending-champion Dallas Mavericks in four games. Before the Lakers’-Thunder’s first game, the question of rest-versus-rust arose and afterwards, it was clear that OKC was ‘lying in wait’ for L.A.
Oklahoma’s Russell Westbrook, the 23-year old former Leuzinger High School Olympian and UCLA Bruin is a blur. Dangerous on the perimeter, this All-Star’s game has matured. Defensively, the Lakers are in need of multiple efforts on the pick-and-roll play and the guards have to fight over the screen or trap the pick and roll.
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden – as well as OKC’s hot shooting and bench scoring – were too much for the Lakers in Game One. It is easy to say that Los Angeles must control the impact of that trio , but it’s a much harder task to accomplish.
The Lakers have to put the Game One debacle behind them and correct their mistakes. Their defense on the pick-and-roll play has to improve dramatically. It is imperative that they play with more energy, control the tempo, stop the dribble penetration of the guards, get back in transition, contest shots and control the boards.
The Thunder has led the league in turnovers but, with only four in their first game against L.A., that was not a factor. The Lakers have to do a better job of pressuring the ball and getting into the passing lanes to cause turnovers. Offensively, their ball movement and player movement has to improve.
The ball has to go inside to the Lakers’ Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Both are in need of more touches and have to be much more aggressive when the ball gets inside. OKC is doing a good job of denying passes to the post and literally sitting in both Bynum and Gasol’s laps, daring L.A. to make perimeter shots… something they have failed to do so with any consistency.
Los Angeles’ Ramon Sessions was non-existent in Game One and has to be more of a factor. He has to be able to attack Russell Westbrook off the dribble and get into the paint. L.A. has to make protecting the paint a team effort, with everyone getting involved. The Lakers’ reserves will have to step their game up and knock down shots.
Lakers: R. Sessions, K. Bryant, M. Peace, P. Gasol, A. Bynum
Thunder: R. Westbrook, T. Sefolosha, K. Durant, S. Ibaka, K. Perkins
Tip-off: 6:30 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