The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered an impressive 119-90 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1, but the pressure is still the Thunder to keep the home court edge with a win in Game 2 on Wednesday. This is a critical game for both teams. Tip-off for Game 2 is scheduled for 9:30 EST and will be broadcasted nationally on TNT.
It seems as though oddsmakers expect a much closer final score in Game 2. Regardless of the fact that the Thunder covered the spread by 21.5-points in Game 1, Oklahoma City is once again favored b 7.5-points over the Lakers. Want to stay up to do date on the series, you can read more about these teams at Betfirms.
Los Angeles
The Lakers looked like they were still recovering from that difficult first round series against Denver. Los Angeles played well in the first quarter, but from the second quarter on they looked tired. As a result, they ended up geting crushed in the second half.
Kobe Bryant ended up scoring 20 points, but it was not an great game for him. He was just 7 of 18 from the field and had only 2 assists and three rebounds. Pau Gasol also struggled to find a rhythm in the offense. He had just 10 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes. Andrew Bynum was the only player I was really impressed with. Bynum posted a strong double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Metta World Peace hit a couple big shots in quarter one, but after that he used to be a non-factor. If the Lakers are going to come back and at least make it respectable in Game 2, World Peace has to play better and they need more than just 2 points out of Ramon Sessions.
On the defensive side of the ball Lakers have to do a more satisfactory job on keeping the Thunder from penetrating into the lane and kicking out for wide-open shots. Do not be surprised if Bryant does not come out and guard Russell Westbrook from the start of the game. The only issue with that, if Bryant is forced to defend Westbrook, it takes away from what he can give the Lakers offensively.
Oklahoma City
With so many days between series, some thought Oklahoma City would struggling to get going early. It did not take long for Oklahoma City to find their rhythm, as they shot 53% from the field and 41% from the 3-point line. When this team comes out and shoots the ball like they did on Monday, they're very tough to beat.
Westbrook finished up with a game-high 27 points, but he wasn't just scoring the basketball. He had seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kevin Durant also contributed in multiple areas, he had 25 points, 8 rebounds, and four assists. James Harden came off the bench to add 17 points in just 24 minutes. While no one else on the team scored in double-figures, nine other players contributed offensively.
Defensively I believe the Thunder had a great game plan in Game 1. Thabo Sefolosha and Harden really made Bryant work for everything he got offensively. They also did a great job of keeping Gasol from playing a big role. Although While Bynum got a lot of easy baskets, a lot of people overlook the fact that they are not double-teaming him each time he touches the ball. That makes it that much tougher for the Lakers role players to contribute.
It's hard to not like Oklahoma City's chances of winning Game 2. The Thunder are 3-1 against Los Angeles this year and all 3 of their wins have come by more than 10-points. The sole game they loss, came in LA when they blew a massive lead after World Peace delivered that vicious elbow to Harden.
It seems as though oddsmakers expect a much closer final score in Game 2. Regardless of the fact that the Thunder covered the spread by 21.5-points in Game 1, Oklahoma City is once again favored b 7.5-points over the Lakers. Want to stay up to do date on the series, you can read more about these teams at Betfirms.
Los Angeles
The Lakers looked like they were still recovering from that difficult first round series against Denver. Los Angeles played well in the first quarter, but from the second quarter on they looked tired. As a result, they ended up geting crushed in the second half.
Kobe Bryant ended up scoring 20 points, but it was not an great game for him. He was just 7 of 18 from the field and had only 2 assists and three rebounds. Pau Gasol also struggled to find a rhythm in the offense. He had just 10 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes. Andrew Bynum was the only player I was really impressed with. Bynum posted a strong double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Metta World Peace hit a couple big shots in quarter one, but after that he used to be a non-factor. If the Lakers are going to come back and at least make it respectable in Game 2, World Peace has to play better and they need more than just 2 points out of Ramon Sessions.
On the defensive side of the ball Lakers have to do a more satisfactory job on keeping the Thunder from penetrating into the lane and kicking out for wide-open shots. Do not be surprised if Bryant does not come out and guard Russell Westbrook from the start of the game. The only issue with that, if Bryant is forced to defend Westbrook, it takes away from what he can give the Lakers offensively.
Oklahoma City
With so many days between series, some thought Oklahoma City would struggling to get going early. It did not take long for Oklahoma City to find their rhythm, as they shot 53% from the field and 41% from the 3-point line. When this team comes out and shoots the ball like they did on Monday, they're very tough to beat.
Westbrook finished up with a game-high 27 points, but he wasn't just scoring the basketball. He had seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kevin Durant also contributed in multiple areas, he had 25 points, 8 rebounds, and four assists. James Harden came off the bench to add 17 points in just 24 minutes. While no one else on the team scored in double-figures, nine other players contributed offensively.
Defensively I believe the Thunder had a great game plan in Game 1. Thabo Sefolosha and Harden really made Bryant work for everything he got offensively. They also did a great job of keeping Gasol from playing a big role. Although While Bynum got a lot of easy baskets, a lot of people overlook the fact that they are not double-teaming him each time he touches the ball. That makes it that much tougher for the Lakers role players to contribute.
It's hard to not like Oklahoma City's chances of winning Game 2. The Thunder are 3-1 against Los Angeles this year and all 3 of their wins have come by more than 10-points. The sole game they loss, came in LA when they blew a massive lead after World Peace delivered that vicious elbow to Harden.
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