3 adjustments Lakers need to make for Game 3 vs. Thunder
It feels like the Lakers are close to putting together a winning performance in at least one of their games against the Thunder in their second-round playoff series. But their 18-point losses in Game 1 and Game 2 in Oklahoma City suggest they aren’t as close as it feels. The Lakers’ Austin Reaves erupted on offense, but LA might need to employ a zone to top the Thunder.
Getty Images The series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Saturday and Game 4 on Monday, with the Lakers looking to avoid falling into the dreaded 0-3 hole — a series deficit no team in NBA history has overcome. If the Lakers want to have a shot at winning the best-of-seven series, they need to make a few adjustments for Game 3: Zone defense The Lakers spent a significant chunk of the regular season deploying a zone defense . And yet, they haven’t played zone during the playoffs.
The Thunder faced the second-most zone defense in the league this season, scoring 1. 005 points per possession (ranked 20th), compared with the 1. 039 points per possession they score when playing against man-to-man defense (ranked second).
The Lakers played zone defense the third most of any team this season, allowing 0. 955 points per possession (ranked sixth in the NBA). The Lakers have stuck with putting two on the ball when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the ball handler.
The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 20 points and four assists the first two games of the series. NBAE via Getty Images It’s produced the results they’ve wanted when it comes to limiting Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s averaged 20 points and five turnovers to go with four assists through the first two games. The Lakers are getting the ball out of his hands and forcing other Thunder players to make plays.