Coming into the second-round playoff series with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Los Angeles Lakers were considered to be a threat to the title hopes of Kevin Durant and company.
In Game 1, the Thunder destroyed the Lakers with a 29-point blowout. Oklahoma City’s dominance over Los Angeles in the first game in the series was enough to convince many people that the Thunder were by far the better all-around team and would cruise into the Western Conference Finals. Even though the Thunder ultimately turned out to be the better squad, the Lakers definitely gave them a run for their money in Game 2.
With the Lakers taking the Thunder to the limit in Game 2, Los Angeles were back in the series and proved that they could contend with the likes of this younger and faster Oklahoma City team.
Unfortunately, despite taking Game 3 and taking the Thunder to the brink in Game 4, the Lakers just couldn’t off this team with All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook being too much to handle throughout the series.
With Westbrook being virtually unstoppable throughout the five games in this second-round series, the Lakers were helpless to stop the Thunder’ transition game. Even in the half court, Los Angeles struggled to contain both Westbrook and Durant who both were on fire shooting the basketball.
In the series-clinching Game 5 in Oklahoma City, Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 42 points in a losing effort. It became painfully clear in the final game that the Lakers had to lean heavily on their superstar just to stay in contention. Some drastic changes to the Lakers’ roster might be on the horizon as a result.
As for the Thunder, Oklahoma City has advanced to the Western Conference Finals to face the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder will be the underdogs for the first time in the playoffs with the Spurs being the favorites to advance to the NBA Finals.
Related News
- NBA Playoffs: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 5
- Oklahoma City Thunder Advance to the NBA Finals
- Western Conference Playoffs Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets
- Oklahoma City Thunder destroy Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1
- Miami Heat hold off late rally from Thunder to take Game 2 of NBA Finalshttp://www.onlinesportsbookpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/MiamiHeat.jpg
Leave a Reply
- NBA Finals: San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat Game 6
- Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics Close to Pulling Off Blockbuster Trade
- Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Wants to Play At Least Two More Seasons
- Spurs’ Tony Parker Listed as Day-to-Day With Hamstring Strain
- Mike Wallace Turned Down $76 Million Offer from Minnesota Vikings
- Doc Rivers Expresses Interest In Joining Los Angeles Clippers
- Texans’ Ed Reed Says Tom Brady Slide Forced Hip Surgery
- Indianapolis Colts Agree To Terms With RB Ahmad Bradshaw
- Is Tim Tebow a contender for the backup QB role for the New England Patriots?
- Future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd Frontrunner for Brooklyn Nets Coaching Job
- Adam: I agree with anyone that Lebron cannot be compared to Michael Jordan but when someone says he has not reached...
- a.rey: I appreciate your opinion, but I’m guessing you’ve never been to Virginia Beach. All you really...
- Matt: What rumor?? This is wild speculation on your part. Is there a source that has suggested this?
- Joe: Whoever wrote this isn’t very knowledgable. First off it’s Hasselbeck not Hasselback and he wanted...
- Ramon: The magic is got to do what is best for the magic.why should they care about were Howard wants to be,because...
- chase: We DO NOT want him back here in Memphis! We rode that ship for a long time and it has sailed long ago. We love...
- mathew: i hope he goes to rockets!
- May: How dare you label state this article as: “May be Forced to Retire if Not Granted House Arrest”. It...