Lakers should let Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander try to beat them
The Lakers made it clear from the beginning of their second-round playoff series against the Thunder what they would be willing to live with. What they weren’t willing to live with: Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander going 1-on-1. Which led to automatic double teams in the first two games of the series in Oklahoma City, getting the ball out of Gilgeous-Alexander’s hands and forcing the other Thunder players to beat them.
The Lakers’ Marcus Smart (left) could help the team by guarding the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 1-on-1. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images The problem for the Lakers: The Thunder’s “others” did beat them. And even in Game 3 , with the Lakers being less aggressive with their defensive coverages against Gilgeous-Alexander on Saturday night at Crypto.
com Arena, it was still the non-Gilgeous-Alexander Thunder players who stepped up in the Thunder’s 23-point win. Chet Holmgren, the Thunder’s leading scorer for the series, was a difference-maker. Second-year guard Ajay Mitchell continued his breakout season, recording playoff career highs of 24 points and 10 assists in the Game 3 victory.
Instead of it being Jared McCain like it was in the first two games, Isaiah Joe was the Thunder guard who packed the scoring punch off the bench, and Cason Wallace continued his stellar two-way play. The Lakers have dared everyone on the Thunder but Gilgeous-Alexander to beat them. Which is why it’s time for the Lakers to challenge Gilgeous-Alexander to try to beat them.
And Gilgeous-Alexander is perfectly capable of doing so. The reigning MVP, who’ll likely win the award again this season, is arguably the NBA’s best player . Smart, the Lakers’ best defender, is up for the challenge of guarding SGA 1-on-1.
Continue to the original source for the full article.