On Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers confirmed they might doubtlessly play spoiler to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder within the playoffs.
Within the first half of their 126-99 highway victory in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis, Los Angeles hit 15 three-pointers, which tied a franchise document for threes made in a half. The Lakers completed with a season-high 22 three-pointers made, tying a franchise document for threes made in a sport.
To make issues worse for Oklahoma Metropolis, Lakers level guard Luka Doncic was additionally cooking. He scored 30 factors on 11-of-20 capturing, grabbed seven rebounds and tallied six assists.
In the meantime, Lakers small ahead LeBron James and capturing guard Austin Reaves mixed for 39 factors.
With the win over Oklahoma Metropolis (64-14), the Lakers (48-30) have now gained 4 of their final 5 video games and moved into third within the Western Convention. If the playoffs began Sunday, they might host the Minnesota Timberwolves (46-32) within the first spherical.
The Thunder have already clinched the No. 1 seed within the Western Convention, however the Lakers might nonetheless pull off an upset in the event that they meet within the postseason.
L.A. shot 36.1% from past the arc in its first 77 video games, so it most likely could not proceed to financial institution on its three-point capturing in a seven-game sequence vs. the Thunder. However the Lakers might depend on Doncic, a confirmed playoff performer.
Final postseason, Doncic — whom the Lakers acquired in a commerce with Dallas in February — carried the Mavericks to the NBA Finals, averaging 28.9 PPG in 22 video games.
The Lakers have split their first two games in opposition to the Thunder. Nonetheless, Doncic was nonetheless with the Mavericks of their first matchup on Nov. 29.
The Thunder host the Lakers once more on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. The sport might actually decide whether or not L.A. is a official menace to the Western Convention’s prime crew.
