Lakers Cruise to make a victory on the road on the best thunder – Orange County Register

Oklahoma City – JJ Redick has mentioned several times throughout his first season as a Lakers coach that one of his favorite work parts is the problem solving aspect that comes with the concert.

Redick knew that there would be a lot for him and his coach staff to solve the problems during the 38 hours that the Lakers had between the home victory on Friday against the Pelicans of New Orleans and the Sunday match against the Thunder of Oklahoma City at the Paycc Center.

As a team with the best record of the Western Conference by a large margin and the best record of the league overall, the Thunder presents many problems for opponents on both sides of the ground.

But the Lakers had an answer for apparently everything Oklahoma City launched them on Sunday afternoon, beating the Thunder 126-99 on the road in a match of which they had total control from the start of the game.

“We were very connected both in intention and in mind at the two ends of the soil, very committed to what we were trying to do in a defensive manner and very attached to the place where we had the impression of being able to generate good strokes against a formidable defense,” said Redick. “And there was no break.”

Luka Doncic led the Lakers (48-30) with 30 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a pair of flights, with his early shooting (14 points in the first quarter and a 3-point trio in the opening period) giving the tone to one of the best victories of the Lakers of the season.

The Lakers made a summit of 22 points to 3 points out of 40 attempts beyond the arc (55%), the Thunder (64-14) has trouble containing the movement of the Lakers balls.

“You can’t have a break, no matter the score,” said LeBron James. “They will always make a boost, that’s why they are who they are at this position in this part of the season. It was a very good game for us and we can build it.”

Austin Reaves was one of the six two -digit lakers, finishing with 20 points out of 15 shots (four 3s).

James added 19 points (9 shots out of 16) and seven assists, taking advantage of the Thunder keeping him with smaller players after being initially defended by the great man of Thunder Chet Holmgren.

Dorian Finney-Smith (14 points, seven rebounds; four 3s), Gabe Vincent (12 points, three assists, three rebounds; four 3s) and Rui Hachimura (11 points, seven rebounds) also marked two figures.

“It is difficult to fight when Gabe and I make fire,” said Finney-Smith.

Doncic took advantage of Oklahoma City by changing the great man Isaiah Hartenstein on him early, the 26 -year -old Slovenian guard cutting a pair of steps back 3 on Hartenstein in the first before the Thunder begins to send help.

From there, the Pass / Donteic Game Openers have opened, leading to one of the best offensive performances of the season’s Lakers – and perhaps their best, since the Thunder entered the match with the best defense of the League.

“We are at our best when they blitz,” said Donic. “It is obviously an easy basketball, four against three. We just worked on this and we saw that since I was here, we have improved better and better. (Sunday), the ball was moving and we got a lot of open plans and that’s what we have to do to move forward. ”

Thunder All-NBA’s goalkeeper and MVP candidate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, finished with 26 points out of 12 shots on 23 to go with nine assists, but Oklahoma City did not get a lot of offensive production outside of him.

The Jalen Williams stars wing ended with 16 points, but on 4 out of 14 shots to go with six rebounds, three assists and three interceptions. Holmgren added 10 points.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who entered the league on Sunday in attempted free throws per game with 8.9, did not take a franc, the first time he did not arrive at the charity band for the first time since December 18, 2021.

The Thunder only took 12 free throws, making new.

“We know that they are very good at one, to enter painting, to attract a lot (of defensive attention),” said James. “They are doing a great job to get to the free throw line. They do a great job to get offensive rebounds and second chance points. And these are some of the controllables you can control. Not putting your hand in a cookie pot when many of these guys were driving. Shai, J-Dub, some of these other guys, you have learned to live with the help, to do or miss. And I think we did a great job to pay particular attention to details.

On Sunday, it was the first time that the Thunder has lost consecutive matches since November 17 and November 19.

The total of Thunder’s point was their lowest since he scored 98 points during OKC’s defeat on January 17 against the Dallas Mavericks.

“I told them after the match”, “you can’t count on the 22 out of 40 shot,” said Redick. “It is not a lasting formula. Generating 40 3S and giving you this type of look is something that can be sustainable. But defending the way we defended and hold this team less than 100 with a possession game of around 94 is the defense of the elite. It will give you a chance to win every night.”

Lakers and Thunder will be equal to Oklahoma City again on Tuesday evening.

Originally published: April 6, 2025 at 3:35 p.m.