Round 1 Review - LAL vs OKC

In this clash in the west, we saw the top of the table in the West, being The Los Angeles Lakers take on the bottom seed, being The Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Impressive trading has turned the Lakers in to not only a definite contender, but potential favourite for the title. I guess that isn’t any revelation seeing as they were the top seed. Led by two hall of famers in Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, followed closely by budding young star, Cade Cunningham. 

The Thunder are a young star studded list, who although snuck in to the bottom spot in the west, I feel it is very safe to say that this will not be the last play offs we see this team in. 

Leading by example for the Thunder square is Anthony Edwards and Trae Young. Both All stars in their own right.

Consensus was the Lakers would win, but lets see how this one played out. 

GAME 1 @ LAL:

LAL - 0 OKC - 0

LAKERS WIN - 127 - 134 

Game one went as most had predicted with a win going to the Lakers. Although it was no blow out. The Thunder really held it to them, with Trae and Edwards scoring a combined 62 points. With Edwards 35 being a game high.

Unfortunately for them it fell short to the combined effort of the Lakers big three, who all scored over 25 points each, surprisingly led by Cades team high 31 points. 

The team stats on both sides were very close, with no numbers standing out as a real reason for the loss/victory. Just a close hard fought game.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Stephen Curry - 27 points, 3 rebounds and 9 assists. 

GAME 2 @ LAL:

LAL - 1 OKC - 0

OKC WIN - 130 - 121 

A big bounce back game from the underdogs here, who clearly were not going to go down without a fight. 

This one was a much more well rounded team game for the Thunder. They really spread the load around and didn’t just leave it up to their stars. They had 7 of their 8 guys who played score 13 or more points. 

The Lakers similarly had a shared load throughout the team. With the whole starting 5 scoring in double digits. It appears this one was lost due to the lakers turnovers, which were 17 compared to 10.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Alex Caruso - 13 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 6 steals, 2 blocks.

GAME 3 @ OKC:

LAL - 1 OKC - 1

LAL WIN - 127 - 120 

Another very well rounded team game by the Thunder, with all but one scoring in double figures. Their best contributor was Trae Young for this game, who put up 26 points. 

They were outplayed by the Lakers, and more specifically Wendell Carter Jr, who poured in a game high 28 points on crazy good efficiency. Drummond in classic Drummond fashion double doubled, grabbing a whopping 20 rebounds. 

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Wendell Carter Jr - 28 points (13-18 ), 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block and a game high +12

GAME 4 @ OKC:

LAL - 2 OKC - 1

OKC WIN - 142 - 134 

What a series, a real show of strength and character of both teams. No allowing either one to get too ahead of them.

OKC manage to even the series back up and get a win in front of their home crowd. 

Again, a really good spread of contributors from the Thunder. Three guys scored over 20, with Young finishing with 32 points. 

The Lakers also had some good contributions, however obviously wasn’t enough. The Lakers had over 10 less assists and rebounds for the game, which is a fair gap.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Trae Young - 32 points ( 11-19 ), 4 rebounds and 11 assists.

GAME 5 @ LAL:

LAL - 2 OKC - 2

LAL WIN - 136 - 131 

Keeping up with the style of this series, the Lakers get this one back. Meaning neither team has one two in a row. 

It appears the Curry was sick of losing and decided to try and get his team over the line single handedly. He finished with a game high and downright impressive 48 points. There was a nice sidekick contribution from Durant with 34 points. 

The Thunder were admirable in defeat, keeping it a very tight game to the very end, again with Trae Young leading by example. 

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Stephen Curry - 48 points ( 15-24 FG, 15-15 FT), 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.

GAME 6 @ OKC:

LAL - 3 OKC - 2

OKC WIN - 133 - 124 

This series has followed the pattern all along, so why would this game be any different. Thunder bounce back from their last loss in the final home game. 

This was do or die for the Thunder and they responded in kind. It was a surprising hero in this game, in Deandre Hunter, who kicked in with a team and game high 31 points. He has been quite good all series, but this was by far his best game.

The usual suspects with the lakers continued to contribute, however Andrew Nembhard entered into he starting lineup and had a nice game scoring 23 points with 5 assists. 

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Deandre Hunter - 31 points ( 12-21 FG ), 8 rebounds, 1 assists and 2 steals. 

GAME 7 @ LAL:

LAL - 3 OKC - 3

LAL WIN - 124- 108

What a series this has been. Amazing for the league and the fans. The favourite prevails in this one. Stamping their authority with the largest winning margin of the series. 

I am sure there is nothing but respect being given to the OKC Thunder, which is well deserved. Unfortunately for them they were just out matched in this game. Their heads should be held high and there are big things to come going forward with this franchise. 

The Lakers organisation and fans would both be very relived after scraping themselves through round one of the playoffs. 

The Lakers big 3 made sure of this one, with each of them scoring over 20 points. However it was KD who led them over the line. 

The Lakers might need to tighten up their screws a bit if are going to make a deep run in these playoffs. Regardless congratulations to them for making it through the first round of the series. 

PLAYER OF THE SERIES:

Stephen Curry - 29.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.1 steals. 

Again, to congratulations to both sides. OKC will be back and lets see how far the Lakers can make it!