The Los Angeles Lakers got an impressive win to cap off their five-game road trip on Sunday, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-104. The win gave the Lakers a 3-2 record on their longest road trip of the season, a positive sign of growth for the young team.
One player who has shown plenty development this season is Brandon Ingram. Head coach Luke Walton decided to move Ingram to point guard while Lonzo Ball remains out with injury, and Ingram has responded with back-to-back excellent all-around games.
Now with the road trip finished and the team set to return home for the next couple of games, Ingram explained that he wants the Lakers to keep up this same style of play moving forward, via Spectrum SportsNet:
“Just the same thing we’ve been doing. These last two games we’ve been playing really well, moving the basketball, and our bigs are our enforcers. Just continue to try to be good inside and out and have this same spirit.”
The Lakers certainly seem to have turned a corner since a season-worst nine-game losing streak. They’ve won won 10 of theri last 14 games and have gotten contributions from everyone on the roster.
As Ingram noted, the Lakers have gotten back to moving the ball and making the extra pass, something the team has struggled with as Lonzo recovers from his sprained MCL. Even without their starting point guard, the Lakers are back to trusting each other and they are winning with balanced offensive efforts.
The physicality is also a welcome sight and it was on full display against the Thunder as Julius Randle muscled his way through the paint against Oklahoma City bigs. The insertion of Josh Hart into the starting lineup also helps as he is extremely strong, physical, and is a great rebounder.
If the Lakers are going to keep up this level of play it will be Ingram who has to lead the way and keep them on track as they return home.
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