Los Angeles Lakers vow to settle the scores in the 3rd game - NBA Update
The Wednesday night game between Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers was a true marvel.
The game went right down the wire and OKC clawed of the 7 points deficit at the last 2 minutes, converting it into 2 points 77-75 victory.
Losing 2 in a row did send the Lakers into mourning but they also realized one thing. They can withstand a team that is more athletic, energetic and young.
Heading towards the Staples Center LAL took another lesson with them - their defence can curtail OKC’s superstars, as the troika of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden combined for surprisingly low 50 points in the
last game.
However at this point of season, a strong defence cannot necessarily prove enough to win games. It has to be substantiated with an innovative offense. Lakers were bit shaky on that aspect especially on the rebounds.
Coming into the game 2, Lakers were still trying to shake off the 29 points 1st game blow. But the 2 points 2nd game loss hurt them more. Kobe Bryant couldn’t hide his disappointment while speaking to press
in a sombre mood.
“It was a tough loss, yes, but the biggest thing for us was that we found some things out defensively that we feel like we can do that's effective," Bryant said, choosing to focus on the positive rather than dwell on the negative.
"They did a great job. It was a great comeback by them in the last two minutes, or whatever it is. They got themselves a gritty win, and now it's on us to go back home and defend our home court."
It will be difficult to swallow such a hard pill for Lakers, but heading into the 3rd game Mike Brown and his squad has learnt a precious lesson. If OKC has the youth and speed the LAL enjoys the size advantage. Lakers
placed Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum in the glass and the duo compelled Thunder offence to melt down, especially in the 3rd frame.
This allowed them to outscore OKC 18-12 in the 3rd stanza, something that went unprecedented in the 1st game. Though not recommended but they have a weapon feared by Thunder, Metta World Peace, especially
by James Harden. The 7 game suspensions must have tamed his inner beast that compels him to go after man rather than the ball. However flagrant fouls are a part of the game (are they not).
Kobe at the age of 33 still manages to turn around the game, especially at the death. However in the last 2 minutes of game 2 he was 0-for-5 and also committed a turnover along with a foul, something that he will not take down
quietly. He will surely inflict a lot of damage in the 3rd game. That will turn out to be Lakers biggest strength.
It is said that a few emerges after taking a 2 game fall in the semi-finals but Lakers will add their name in the exception. As Lakers Coach Mike Brown is all set to protect his home-court.
"It is still a series," Brown said. "They did what they were supposed to do, they protected their home court, they got two wins, now we have to do the same but I feel like there is a lot of basketball left in our team."
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