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At first glance, the scoreboard might suggest otherwise.
Yet, the Lakers have undeniably demonstrated resilience, determination, and perseverance.
These claims might sound surprising given that the Lakers have dropped all three of their matchups against the Thunder in the second-round playoff series, with an average defeat margin of 19.7 points. Their latest setback in Game 3, ending with a 131-108 scoreline, is just another part of this narrative.
However, the stark truth remains: the Thunder are simply a powerhouse.
Lakers coach JJ Redick recently lauded them as “one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history.” The reality is that LA was outmatched from the start in this series.
It’s fair to wonder if any team can challenge them this postseason.
The Lakers are running uphill against a team that’s jogging on flat ground. They’re playing six guys against a roster so deep that they constantly have fresh legs on the court and never dip in productivity.
That’s the reason LA trails the series, 3-0. That’s the reason they’re one game away from their season ending.
It’s not because the Lakers haven’t poured out their hearts trying to stay in these games. It’s not because they rolled over without superstar Luka Doncic, who has been sidelined since April 2 because of a strained hamstring. It’s not because they haven’t given this their all.
The Lakers have done so much right this series.
In Game 2, the score was close for 3 1/2 quarters. In Game 3, it was neck-and-neck for 2 1/2 quarters.
But the problem is the Lakers were gassed in both games. Their legs gave out. Meanwhile, the Thunder were barely out of breath.
The Thunder have outscored the Lakers by an average of 18 points per game in the second half of this series.
In the first half of Game 3, the Lakers outshot the Thunder from beyond the 3-point line, 55% to 33.3%, but they only entered halftime up by two points, 59-57. And two of their role players were nearly perfect over that period, with Rui Hachimura shooting 5-for-7 from the field and Luke Kennard shooting 5-for-6.
But none of that mattered.
The Thunder outscored the Lakers in the third quarter, 33-20. In the fourth quarter, they had a 41-29 advantage — and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander only played 3 minutes.
The Lakers have to be perfect to be competitive.
The problem is they can only sustain that level of play for so long with 41-year-old LeBron James as the head of the snake and a roster that’s not very deep.
As soon as they slow down, the Thunder come roaring into the game, ripping it open.
They’re so good. So deep. So overwhelming.
Lakers coach JJ Redick couldn’t help but throw his hands in the air after Game 3, pointing out that they’ve done an excellent job containing Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been a shell of himself this series after closing the first round leading all postseason scorers with 33.7 points per game.
But that hasn’t made a dent.
“The MVP [scores] 18 [points in Game 1], 22 [points in Game 2], seven-of-20 tonight [23 points], and they’ve kicked our ass three straight games,” Redick said. “They’re an incredible basketball team. It has been that way all series.”
Guarding the Thunder is like playing Whac-A-Mole.
Stop one guy? There are four other guys on the court who can score, and another five guys on their bench who are just as good.
What’s scary is their defense is even better than their offense.
The Thunder make James look his age. They make Austin Reaves look frenzied. They make the team’s role players look inconsistent. They pick apart everyone with their top-rated defense.
James had just 19 points on 7-for-19 shooting. Reaves had only 17 points on 5-for-13 shooting. The Thunder’s bench outscored the Lakers’ reserves, 44-31.
Those numbers might not reflect it, but the Lakers are giving this their all.
This isn’t an issue with any particular player. This is an issue with their roster. It’s just not able to contend with one of the youngest and deepest teams in the league.
They’re too top heavy. Too slow. Too outmanned.
Now they’re staring at a 3-0 precipice, a series deficit so large that no team has ever recovered from it.
If they can avoid a sweep, that would be a huge accomplishment.
“Obviously, we gotta [give] everything, s–t,” James said. “Everything and more to beat a team like this. So we gotta be our best. Be at our best on Monday [in Game 4].”
But let’s be real, their best won’t cut it.
It can’t.
Regardless of how much the Lakers fight, the truth is they’re in the wrong weight class against the heavyweight champions.
The Lakers have shown a lot of heart.
But against this team, that’s just not enough.