With the NBA playoffs approaching, the La Lakers will make a powerful statement by destroying the Oklahoma City Thunder, the league’s best-recorded team.
Luka Donsic scored 30 points as the Los Angeles Lakers produced a devastating display of long-range shooting and scored an astonishing 126-99 blowout in the No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder.
A heavyweight showdown between the Western Conference leader and the third-placed Lakers effectively settled in the first half as Los Angeles rattled on 15 three-pointers (franchise record) opening a 78-56 lead at the end of the second quarter.
The Lakers did not appear to surrender a large double-digit cushion as they closed out a comfortable victory to silence the crowds of the Oklahoma City home.
The victory brought Laker’s Edge closer to securing one of the four remaining automatic playoff spots in the West after already qualified Oklahoma City and Houston.
The Lakers poured 22 three-pointers throughout the game, with five of them in charge. Austin Reeves had four three-pointers over a 20-point distance, while LeBron James added 19 points.
Shy Gilgaus Alexander led Oklahoma City and scored with 26 points off-night for the Thunder.
James said the Lakers decided not to give up after a quick start to the leaders of Western Conferences.
“Whether they’re between them and Cleveland, they’re the best team in the NBA,” James said. “They’re the number one team in the West, so whatever their score is, you can’t give up. They’re always going to push, so that’s where they’re in this part of the season.
“So it’s a really good victory for us and we can build it…We are now trying to build our habits.
Reaves believes the results in the final week of the regular season were successful, reaching their conclusion on April 13th.
Six teams compete in four playoff spots in the West, from the Lakers (48-30) in third place to the Memphis Grizzlies (46-32) in eighth place.
“It’s huge,” Reeves said. “Like rankings, you can go from third to eighth with a snap of your fingers, so it’s a big deal for us to come and play such a good team the way we do it tonight.
The team will meet again in Oklahoma City on Tuesday.
The Thunder scored under 100 points for the first time since November 15th.
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