Zach Lowe noticed a variety of similarities between the Lakers towards OKC Thunder and the Mavericks within the playoffs final 12 months.
The Los Angeles Lakers received their greatest win of the season this weekend, toppling the mighty OKC Thunder.
The Lakers grew to become the third staff to carry the Thunder underneath 100 factors this season. JJ Redick applauded Luka Doncic for his sensible efficiency towards them.
NBA followers have been additionally pleased with Doncic, echoing these sentiments. And with 30 factors towards the Thunder, it’s onerous to not reward him.
However one NBA analyst noticed some indicators from Luka and his new staff that he noticed from him within the playoffs towards OKC final season.
Learn Extra: Overlook celebrity trio, LA Lakers bench star was +28 vs OKC and has grow to be one of many staff’s most necessary gamers
Talking on the primary episode of his new podcast, Zach Lowe broke down what he noticed from the Los Angeles Lakers towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
He famous that the Lakers performed in a really related type to the Dallas Mavericks from 2024 once they beat the Thunder within the playoffs.
“Actually attention-grabbing win for the Lakers. It jogged my memory of the Mavericks within the playoffs final 12 months. They actually shrunk the ground on the Thunder.”
“They clogged up the paint, and so they clogged up Shai’s drives. And so they did it with out actually abandoning the Thunder’s finest three-point shooters. Only a very good, rangy, defensive staff.”
“And while you point out their lack of dimension, they’ve a variety of large gamers on their staff… They rotate on a string, they don’t overcommit or undercommit the opposite means.”
“The Lakers have been like, ‘We’re not afraid of that group. We’re not afraid to play small towards that group. We’ll put our wings on each of them as a result of we don’t suppose Chet or Hartenstein can damage us down low.”
Learn Extra: LeBron James and JJ Redick agree about his contribution to Lakers’ two greatest wins over Thunder and Rockets, ‘my accountability…’
It’s too early to say that their loss to the Lakers uncovered the Thunder. Afterall, there may be one other recreation tonight that ought to function an indicator of their degree towards the Lakers.
But when they lose to the Lakers as soon as once more at residence, some questions should be requested. Granted, the Thunder has no purpose to take their remaining video games severely.
Nevertheless, at what level do gamers simply abandon all sense {of professional} delight once they’ve reached the playoffs? There have been some indicators that the Thunder just isn’t as safe as they thought.
The excellent news is that the previous few video games current Mark Daigneault with just a few alternatives to handle these issues and check out one thing new. Whether or not he capitalizes on mentioned alternatives, nevertheless, is one other factor altogether.
