Saturday’s exciting win with Metta World Peace advanced the Lakers into the second round against OKC. Tonight marks the beginning of the second round with the series starting on the Thunder home court.
The last time the Lakers and Thunder played one another, World Peace performed his unbelievable foul against James Harden, resulting in the seven-game suspension. With only one game back, the tension will be high on the court tonight for World Peace who has to prove himself as a player through the possible jeers from Thunder fans. During the regular season, Oklahoma City overtook the Lakers 2-1 through their fast paced game style and stellar lineup, including Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Durant is the league’s top scorer, with 28.0 points. He also averages around 8.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
Serge Ibaka will be Bynum and Gasol’s biggest competition, blocking 3.7 shots per game. His one downfall is his turnover ratio; you can expect at least one turnover per game from Ibaka. Durant’s free throw abilities will be a problem for this Lakers team. Converting on 86 percent of his free throws, he is not one to get to the line. The Lakers have to be smart when guarding him so he doesn’t rack up free throw points. And then there is Westbrook who is able to guard, rebound, pass, and defend extremely well. He averages 2.3 steals her game and has a mean inside drive.
For more on your pregame report, check out our full assessment here. Also look to see if you and your friends made it into the fan gallery this past Saturday at Staples Center!
Lakers Nation News
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Lakers News
Lakers Face Thunder, World Peace Refuses to Shake Hands [Silver Screen and Roll]
Plenty of Drama Between Lakers and Thunder [Lake Show Life]
We’ll Win This Championship If We… [OC Register]
Does Market Size And Media Attention Translate to Success? [SB Nation: Dunk]
Ready or Not, Lakers Series Opener [LA Times]
Attacking the Thunder Defense: Round 1, Game 1 [Forum Blue and Gold]
Derek Fisher, James Harden have Lakers Memories to Confront [LA Times]
Hunger Games: Kobe Bryant [SLAM Online]
Lakers Second Round Result Predictions [Silver Screen and Roll]
World Peace at War and Kevin Durant [SB Nation]
NBA News
NBA Cheering Section: Playoff Edition [OC Register]
Knicks Too Busy Putting on Show to Give Phil Jackson a Call [CBS Sports]
Chris Bosh Out Indefinitely [SB Nation]
Kevin Garnett Would Die on the Court if He Had To [Sports Radio]
Kyrie Irving to Win Rookie of the Year Award [ESPN]
2012 NBA Draft [NBA.com]
Mike Krzyzewski is Coaching the US Olympic Team [Yahoo Sports]
OKC: Minor League in a Major Way [OC Register]
Former NBA Stars: The Game the Dream Team Lost [Pro Basketball Talk]
Raptors to Pursue Jeremy Lin [CBS Sports]
Celtics Host 76ers [SB Nation]
