Lakers survive in OT for the 3rd straight game, winning their NBA best 6th straight game vs the Thunder.
The Lakers went into overtime for the third straight game and found a way to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 114–113 in their second straight matchup. The last time the Lakers went to overtime 3 straight times was on Nov. 1–5, in the 1991 NBA season. With tonight’s win over the Thunder, the Lakers won their 20th game of the season and moved their overall record to 20–6. The Lakers win tonight now moves their win streak to 6 games, which is currently the highest streak in the entire NBA.
Both teams were without key players again tonight, as the Lakers were without Anthony Davis and Alex Caruso for the second straight game and the Thunder were without leading scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Lakers played catch up for the majority of tonight’s game as they had trouble stopping this energetic Thunder team from scoring. The Thunder’s biggest lead of the night was 20 points against the Lakers.
The Lakers had 5 players finish in double figures tonight, with 3 of those players coming from the Lakers starting unit and the other two coming from the bench. This Lakers unit scored 60 total points in the paint tonight and went 42 for 89 (47%) from the field.
In the last three overtime games, LeBron James has played a total of 130 minutes in the past three overtime wins for the Lakers. Even with the substantial amount of minutes in the past three games, LeBron James has still performed like the all-star he is.
LeBron James finished with 25 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds in 41 minutes tonight. James shot 9 for 20 (45%) total from the field and 4 for 4 (100%) from the free throw and finished with a +/- of 6.
LeBron James minutes in the last 3 overtime games:
Vs. OKC: 41 MIN
Vs. OKC: 43 MIN
Vs. DET: 46 MIN
LeBron James had played a substantial amount of minutes in the past 3 Laker games that have gone to overtime.
Lakers head Frank Vogel talked about LeBron James after tonight’s win with the media saying:
“He’s probably going to be this year’s MVP, due to his solid play on both sides of the basketball this season.”
Dennis Schroder had another big night for this Lakers team, scoring 19 points on 5 of 11 (45%) shooting, while also adding 5 assists and 7 rebounds on the night. Dennis Schroder keeps showing night in and night out how valuable he can be for this Lakers team on both sides of the ball. To go with his 19 points, Schroder shot a perfect 8 for 8 (100%) from the free-throw line.
Dennis Schroder in the past 4 games:
Vs. OKC: 19 PTS
Vs. OKC: 19 PTS
Vs. DET: 22 PTS
Vs. DEN: 21 PTS
Dennis Schroder continues to bring constant energy in this lineup and he has shown to be a great accusation during the off-season for the Lakers.
In tonight’s game, Kyle Kuzma took over in the starting lineup in place for the injured Anthony Davis. Kuzma had a great energetic performance as he continues to be valuable to this team as a tenacious rebounder. Kyle Kuzma was one rebound shy of a double-double, as he finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds on 7 of 14 (50%) shooting in 38 minutes.
Dennis Schroder had some praise for Kyle Kuzma after tonight’s game with the media saying:
“He’s doing a great job fighting for these rebounds, He’s great.”
The Lakers bench had 43 total points tonight as they had another night of multiple Lakers on the bench finishing in double figures.
Montrezl Harrell was second on the Lakers in scoring tonight, finishing with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks, and finished 8 for 10 (80%) from the field.
In the last two overtime wins for the Lakers, Montrezl Harrell has scored 41 points combined.
Montrezl Harrell in the past two overtime wins:
Vs. OKC: 20 PTS
Vs. OKC: 21 PTS
Wesley Matthews had another 10 plus performance tonight for the Lakers, finishing with 10 points on 3 of 8 (37%) shooting from the 3 point arc. Matthews had a clutch 3 in overtime to put the
Lakers ahead and help give them the victory at home tonight.
With tonight’s win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Lakers improve to 20–6 and keep their win streak alive with 6 games.
The Lakers hope to keep their win streak alive as they face the 10–10 Memphis Grizzlies at home. Memphis is coming off a win over the Charlotte Hornets and will come to beat the defending champion Lakers at their home court and snap their 6 game win streak.