After defeating Alperen Sengun and the Houston Rockets 4-2, the Los Angeles Lakers are rewarded with an opportunity to avenge their four regular-season losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It’s the most they can ask for after advancing to the second round with Luka Dončić on the bench for the entire first series.
The 27-year-old superstar is healing after receiving stem cell treatment in Europe for his left hamstring, but Austin Reaves was able to appear in Games 5 and 6. He averaged 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over two games, giving LeBron James another weapon as the Lakers prepare for the defending champions.
While Reaves’ scoring threat will be critical in this series, the Lakers will need more than just Reaves and LeBron to take down the Thunder.
Thankfully, they have two players who, if they can channel their inner peaks, can make a huge difference in this series.
Weathering the Thunderstorm
NBA fans were in awe of the 41-year-old takeover of Crypto.com Arena in the first two games. James almost led the Lakers to a sweep of the Rockets, taking a 3-0 lead heading into Game 4, but it’ll be almost impossible to replicate a similar performance in the Paycom Center.
Their tribulations begin and end with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. As the reigning MVP and Kia Clutch Player Of The Year, the 27-year-old is going to be a huge problem for the Lakers all series.
Shai’s historic scoring run has carried into the playoffs, averaging a career-high 33.8 points and 8.0 assists per game. He’s a two-way threat with an average plus/minus of +11.6, and SGA is just the tip of their talented iceberg.
OKC’s Supporting Cast
Oklahoma’s core has taken another massive leap this year. Thunder guard Jared McCain has excelled in his role, and newly minted All-Star Chet Holmgren increased his scoring average to 17.1 points per game.
Holmgren finished his third NBA season as runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. Pairing him with Isaiah Hartenstein has been a recipe for success all season, and the twin towers shined during their sweep of the Phoenix Suns.
Their playoff averages serve as two warning signs for the Lakers as they prepare for their Tuesday night opener on NBC’s Peacock.
The star-studded matchup will serve as a litmus test for Lakers’ Head Coach JJ Redick. With LeBron sitting at the starting PF position, the Thunder’s frontcourt will have an apparent size advantage, so Redick must play a glorified game of chess against Thunder Head Coach Mark Daigneault.
Lakers center Deandre Ayton has been equal parts praised and reprimanded over the course of the season for his up-and-down play, but Redick’s gauntlet of lineup changes has increased Ayton’s intensity.
Now, Redick must pull the correct puppet strings to bring the best out of Ayton as he prepares for OKC’s twin towers.
The Importance Of The Bigs
Ayton is arguably the most athletic seven-footer in the series, so he must utilize his physicality to keep Hartenstein off the glass and prevent second-chance points, which is one of L.A.’s keys to victory.
The Thunder are currently second in offensive rebounding percentage in the playoffs (34.9), and both of their bigs are shooting well over 50%. Since the Lakers utilize James at the four-spot, they can pull Holmgren out of the paint with LeBron’s three-point shooting threat, leaving Ayton and Hartenstein to duke it out beneath the rim.
According to StatMuse, in 10 career matchups against Hartenstein, Ayton has averaged 12.5 points and 7.8 rebounds.
Hopefully Ayton can step up to the task in the frontcourt, but it’s the backcourt where the Lakers will need arguably even more help. Thankfully, they have a former DPOY who can try to turn back the clock.
Marcus Smart’s Point Of Attack
It’s certainly easier said than done, but assigning Marcus Smart to SGA will be L.A’s key to victory. Even at 32 years old, he is still a reliable defender, and his playoff experience ranks among the highest on the team. In his first playoff series as a Laker, he averaged 14.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.7 rebounds.
The most valuable statistic is his 44% three-point field goal percentage. His 3&D playstyle will be vital against the Thunder. Offering resistance to the reigning MVP while hitting a three on the other end will make a massive difference down the stretch.
Everything else will fall on the supporting cast to fill in the gaps. The two point guards will have a physical battle, even if Dončić returns to the rotation. Given Luka’s defensive weakness, Smart’s presence will offer salvation in times of defensive distress.
The Lakers are no doubt at a serious disadvantage against the reigning champs and heavy title favorites. However, this team punched well above its weight in the first round, and if Reaves and James can get some high-level help from Ayton and Smart, along with the other role players, this could make for a surprisingly interesting series.
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