The Los Angeles Lakers put together a late surge to beat the Oklahoma City 99-96 in Game 3 on Friday. It was a complete reversal of fortune from Game 2, when Los Angeles was unable to hold on to a lead late. Oklahoma City was on the verge of taking a 3-0 lead in the series, as they went up 92-87 with just under 3 minutesto play. This time it was the Lakers who made the defensive stops and clutch baskets late in the game. There's no time to relax for either team, as they stand by for Game 4 tonight. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 EST and will be televised nationally on TNT.
Even though the Lakers were able to win Game 3 at home as a 2.5-point favorite, oddsmakers don't appear to like their chances of holding serve at home. Heading into Game 4, Oklahoma City is favored by 1-point over Los Angeles with the total set at 189 points. For the latest on the Lakers and Thunder playoff series, just click this link.
Oklahoma City
The Thunder got off to a slow start in Game 3, as they went into the second quarter down 15-23. Oklahoma City quickly got things worked out offensively, as they came back with 32 points in the second quarter. While the Thunder shot just 39.8% from the field, they managed to play at a much faster pace than the previous game. After being held to just 77 points on 69 shot attempts in Game 2, the Thunder finished with 96 points on 83 attempts in Game 3. What really hurt Oklahoma City was their 3-point shooting. They went just 4 of 17 from long distance.
Oklahoma City's threesome of James Harden, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook carried the load offensively. Durant had a team-high 31 points, while Harden and Westbrook both finished the game with 21 points. While Westbrook and Durant both shot it well from the field, Harden was just 4 of 13. Harden scored 11 of his 21 points at the free throw line.
The two keys for Oklahoma City in Game 4 are playing with more discipline on defense and sharing the basketball. The entire team had just 13 assists in Game 3. Harden, Westbrook and Durant each finished the game with a single assist a piece. That simply isn't going to cut. Part of that is the other players have to make shots. The Thunder held the Lakers to just 38.6% shooting, but allowed LA to take 42 free throw attempts. In Game 3, they were outscored 41-26 at the charity line.
Los Angeles
You've got to give the Lakers a lot of credit for not letting that difficult loss in Game 2, effect their play on Friday. While Los Angeles avoided going down 3-0 to Oklahoma City, it's equally important that they come back with a victory tonight. If they don't hold serve at home it would put the Lakers in a big hole with Game 5 in Oklahoma City on Monday.
While Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 36-points, thanks largely to a perfect 18 of 18 performance from the free throw line, the big story from Game 3 was the fact that six players scored in double-figures. Bynum recorded his second double-double of the series with 15 points and 11 rebounds, Pau Gasol put in 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Steve Blake and Ramon Sessions each contributed 12 points. I think the 24 points from Sessions and Blake were the difference in the game, as these 2 had combined for only 9 points in the first 2 games of the series.
Los Angeles has the momentum going into Game 4, but I speculate whether they will have enough energy to win this game. While Oklahoma City had an easy first round series, The Lakers went seven-games against the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers looked exhausted from that series in Game 1, and ended up losing by 29 points. The second game of a back-to-back is when you really see tired teams struggle, and I think it's going to come down to whether or not the Lakers have enough left in the tank.
Even though the Lakers were able to win Game 3 at home as a 2.5-point favorite, oddsmakers don't appear to like their chances of holding serve at home. Heading into Game 4, Oklahoma City is favored by 1-point over Los Angeles with the total set at 189 points. For the latest on the Lakers and Thunder playoff series, just click this link.
Oklahoma City
The Thunder got off to a slow start in Game 3, as they went into the second quarter down 15-23. Oklahoma City quickly got things worked out offensively, as they came back with 32 points in the second quarter. While the Thunder shot just 39.8% from the field, they managed to play at a much faster pace than the previous game. After being held to just 77 points on 69 shot attempts in Game 2, the Thunder finished with 96 points on 83 attempts in Game 3. What really hurt Oklahoma City was their 3-point shooting. They went just 4 of 17 from long distance.
Oklahoma City's threesome of James Harden, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook carried the load offensively. Durant had a team-high 31 points, while Harden and Westbrook both finished the game with 21 points. While Westbrook and Durant both shot it well from the field, Harden was just 4 of 13. Harden scored 11 of his 21 points at the free throw line.
The two keys for Oklahoma City in Game 4 are playing with more discipline on defense and sharing the basketball. The entire team had just 13 assists in Game 3. Harden, Westbrook and Durant each finished the game with a single assist a piece. That simply isn't going to cut. Part of that is the other players have to make shots. The Thunder held the Lakers to just 38.6% shooting, but allowed LA to take 42 free throw attempts. In Game 3, they were outscored 41-26 at the charity line.
Los Angeles
You've got to give the Lakers a lot of credit for not letting that difficult loss in Game 2, effect their play on Friday. While Los Angeles avoided going down 3-0 to Oklahoma City, it's equally important that they come back with a victory tonight. If they don't hold serve at home it would put the Lakers in a big hole with Game 5 in Oklahoma City on Monday.
While Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 36-points, thanks largely to a perfect 18 of 18 performance from the free throw line, the big story from Game 3 was the fact that six players scored in double-figures. Bynum recorded his second double-double of the series with 15 points and 11 rebounds, Pau Gasol put in 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Steve Blake and Ramon Sessions each contributed 12 points. I think the 24 points from Sessions and Blake were the difference in the game, as these 2 had combined for only 9 points in the first 2 games of the series.
Los Angeles has the momentum going into Game 4, but I speculate whether they will have enough energy to win this game. While Oklahoma City had an easy first round series, The Lakers went seven-games against the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers looked exhausted from that series in Game 1, and ended up losing by 29 points. The second game of a back-to-back is when you really see tired teams struggle, and I think it's going to come down to whether or not the Lakers have enough left in the tank.
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