Thunder pull away in second half to defeat Lakers in Game 1
LeBron James has 27 points and six assists but Austin Reaves has an off night and the Thunder prove too much after intermission.
Lakers forward LeBron James, posting up agianst Thunder guard Alex Caruso, finished with 27 points and six assists in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series on Tuesday night in Oklahoma City. (Kyle Phillips / Associated Press) Lakers coach JJ Redick was succinct about what it was like for his group to face the defending NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder during the regular season. “We sucked against this team,” he said pregame.
The Lakers lost all four regular-season games against the Thunder by double figures, making L. A. ’s 108-90 defeat to Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs just another big loss to the talented Thunder.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 27 points and six assists while Rui Hachimura had 18 points, but Austin Reaves had only eight points, shooting three for 16 from the field. The Lakers doubled-teamed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander frequently, limiting him to 18 points and forcing him into seven turnovers. But the Thunder just turned to Chet Holmgren, who had a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, driving to the basket against Lakers guard Austin Reaves, finished with 18 points on eight-of-12 shooting from the field and six assists in Game 1. (Kyle Phillips / Associated Press) The Lakers shot only 41. 7% (35 of 84) from the field and 30% (10 of 30) from three-point range while the Thunder shot 49.