After their victory against San Antonio in overtime, the Lakers went back to Oklahoma for the return of Russell Westbrook on his land, but especially to chain a third victory in a row.
With a first quarter time one-way (41-19), during which the alley-oops fell everywhere for DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Howard, Malik Monk and even Carmelo Anthony, the Lakers got their hands on the match. At least one could think so …
But, little by little, the Thunder started to eat up its delay. In the third quarter, Oklahoma City got the upper hand on a 41-23 that completely turned the tide, with a glowing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander putting his team back to the advantage of a 3-point against the board.
Launched in a complicated end of the game against the nerve of Josh Giddey (18 points, 10 assists), the Lakers chased the score without managing to get back in front, despite 30 points and 8 rebounds from Anthony Davis. Three times, however, Westbrook, Monk and Anthony had the opportunity to equalize at 3 points and snatch overtime.
But it is the Thunder who wins his first success of the year after four defeats to start the season (123-115).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The incredible return of the Thunder. This is of course the big sensation of this NBA night. Even if they were deprived of LeBron James for the second game in a row, the Lakers had a 26-point advantage in the first half before collapsing completely in the second half (67-43).
– The Lakers’ crazy start to the game. Everything had started so well for the Lakers who shot 17/25 in the first quarter, including 5/8 at 3 points. Spurred on by the Westbrook – Davis duo, LA passed the trifle of 41 points to OKC with 12 points in 10 minutes for Davis and 6 points, 5 assists from Westbrook.
– The Thunder has strong backs. Under pressure from the Lakers at the end of the game, the young OKC troop did not crack. The performances of SGA in the third quarter and Josh Giddey in the last quarter allowed the locals to maintain their advantage by registering important baskets, in particular with 7 points to 3/3 for Derrick Favors who was “clutch”.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The young Thunder star drove his team’s incredible comeback in the second half, scoring 17 of his 27 points in the third quarter. Untenable 5/7 on shots including a brilliant 4/6 3-point over the period, SGA rallied his troops and allowed OKC to garner its first success of the season.
✅ Josh Giddey. The Australian rookie had a second “high” last night. After his first good game against Philly (19 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists), he managed his first career double-double against the Lakers, with 18 points and 10 assists. He was essential to hold the result in the end of the match, playing the shot perfectly on the pick & roll with veteran Derrick Favors.
⛔ Carmelo Anthony. The veteran passed briefly by the Thunder did not have the best evening of his career last night. At 5/14 on shots for 13 points in 31 minutes, and especially with the possibility of equalizing at the very end of the game on a miraculous interception, Melo threw an “airball” which symbolizes the crash of the Lakers …
INCORRIGIBLE RUSSELL WESTBROOK
If they did not know it yet, the Lakers last night had the full experience of what Russell Westbrook is, from the very good through the less good and ending with the worst! Perfectly in place at the start of the game, the leader arrived at half-time almost in triple double: 7 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds. He finished well in the triple-double at 20 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists but he also lost 10 balls and even managed to get kicked one second from the end of the game for barking at Darius Bazley, who left for the dunk. .
THE FOLLOWING
Los Angeles Lakers (2-3) : reception of the Cavs on Friday (4:30 am)
Oklahoma City (1-4) : trip to Oakland on Saturday (2h30)
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