NBA: Lakers blew 26 points lead gifting Thunders the win

NBA, Lakers vs Thunders: Shai Gilgeous Alexander and Russell Westbrook

NBA, Los Angeles Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder: Leading by 26 points Lakers were sitting comfortably to win their third before the game turned on its head.

The second half was a nightmare for the Lakers and the host got their first win of the season climbing a double-digit deficit, 123-115. OKC dominated the second half with everything they got to shock the visitors.

The first quarter saw the Lakers in a chilling position muscling the host 41-19. They would go on to take a 26 point lead after an Avery Bradley three-pointer midway through the second period.

In his return to Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook controlled every facet of the game and looked well on his way to a triple-double while Anthony Davis looked dominant.

NBA, Lakers vs Thunders: Russell Westbrook.
Russell Westbrook.

Leading the Lakers was none other than, Anthony Davis with a 30 points night. Former OKC, Russell Westbrooke claimed his first triple-double as a Laker with 20 points, grabbing 14 boards, and dishing 13 assists. We can say that he had a quadruple double taking 10 turnovers as well.

Russell Westbrook was however ejected from the game receiving two technical fouls with 1.5s remaining. Darius Bazley was trying to score a break-away dunk rather than dribbling out the match. “And when s— like that happens, I don’t let it slide. … In the game of basketball, there’s certain things you just don’t do. Like in baseball, you don’t flip the bat. There’s certain things you don’t do in sports when the game’s already over. And I didn’t like it. Simple as that.”

Thunders however started to recover back at the end of the second quarter cutting the lead to 16 points. The third quarter was an embarrassment for the Lakers as Thunders thundered back.

NBA, Lakers vs Thunders: Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook.

The host were getting confidence from Shai Gilgeous Alexander’s play and outscored the visitors 41-23. They enjoyed the first lead of the match with a buzzer-beater three-pointer putting the score at 97-95.

Fourth-quarter was a similar continuation of the third with Thunders seemed unstoppable. However, the Lakers would not back off and a great defensive effort held the game still.

Everything seems to be in place for the Lakers when Malik Monk decided to dance around with an important assist and a gorgeous drive to the basket. That play puts the Lakers to just a point behind thunder with 50 seconds remaining.

The Lakers were riding luck in getting possession back even when a miss from Russell Westbrook and Malik Monk’s airball. Though last match hero, Carmelo Anthony airballed which cost Lakers the game.

NBA, Lakers vs Thunders highlights.

2 Comments

Comments are closed